Portret van Albertus Brondgeest 1841

Coenraad Hamburger drew this portrait of Albertus Brondgeest in 1834. It's a lithograph, a relatively new and accessible medium in the 19th century, which allowed for wider distribution of images. The Netherlands in the 1830s was a society grappling with its identity after the Napoleonic era. Brondgeest, with his confident gaze and bourgeois attire, embodies the rising middle class. This image speaks to the growing importance of individual portraiture in asserting social status. The lithograph itself, being a reproducible medium, democratized image-making, making it more accessible than traditional painted portraits. Analyzing this portrait through a social lens requires us to consider the relationship between artist and sitter, the means of production, and the intended audience. Art historical resources such as archival records, period publications, and biographical information can shed light on the cultural values embedded in this seemingly straightforward image. Ultimately, this portrait is a product of its time, reflecting the social and economic shifts of 19th-century Netherlands.