Karikatuur: vergadering diamantbeurs 1917

This caricature of a diamond exchange meeting was made with graphite, black ink, and colored pencil on paper by Wilhelmus Johannes Steenhoff. Notice the rather coarse texture of the lines, built up with hatching, and the stark contrast between the dark overcoat and the exaggerated features of the sitter. The roughness of the marks gives the portrait an informal feel, almost as if Steenhoff sketched the work quickly while observing this meeting. Steenhoff was the director of the Rijksmuseum for 15 years, and, given that, this work is particularly interesting. Here, he seems to be applying his artistic ability to comment on the emerging world of commerce and capitalism. Diamond trading in Amsterdam was dominated by a few powerful families, and the caricature emphasizes the sense of social distance between the classes. The quick application of the medium also comments on the rapidly changing social and political landscape. Considering the labor involved in diamond production and trade, Steenhoff's caricature offers a lens into the socio-economic dynamics of his time. It blurs the line between fine art and social commentary, urging us to think about the cultural significance embedded within the materials and processes of art.