Portret van Jan Adam Kruseman Jansz c. 1832 - 1900

Adolphe Frédéric Nett created this portrait of Jan Adam Kruseman Jansz using etching. The piece is a small, intimate portrayal, which speaks to the rise of individual portraiture and the increasing importance of the individual in 19th-century European society. During this time, the Netherlands experienced significant social and political changes, including the rise of a new middle class and growing calls for democratic reforms. Consider the role of institutions, too. The Rijksmuseum, where this piece is housed, was itself founded in the early 19th century as a symbol of national pride and cultural identity. Portraits like this one played a role in constructing a sense of national identity, celebrating prominent figures like Kruseman Jansz. To understand this piece more fully, we might delve into genealogical records and institutional archives to learn more about the sitter and the artist. Only by exploring this historical context can we understand the true meaning and significance of this portrait.