Portret van de schrijver Willem Kloos (?) met snor en bril 1874 - 1925

Jan Veth made this pencil drawing of the writer Willem Kloos, or perhaps someone who simply resembled him, at the turn of the 20th century. The drawing’s social context lies in the artistic and literary circles of the Netherlands at that time. Veth was known for his portraits of intellectuals and cultural figures; Kloos was a leading figure in the Dutch literary movement known as the Tachtigers. They advocated for art for art's sake and individualism, and rejected the prevailing social norms. The Rijksmuseum has a mission to document and preserve Dutch cultural heritage. By including this portrait in its collection, the museum acknowledges the cultural significance of both the artist and the possible sitter. Historians might consult letters, diaries, and literary criticism from the period to better understand the relationship between Veth and Kloos and the cultural values they represented. Art’s meaning always depends on the social world that surrounds it.