Portret van Gosewinus de Voogt 1827 - 1903

This anonymous portrait of Gosewinus de Voogt was produced as an engraving, a popular method of image reproduction. The engraving process allowed images to be reproduced and distributed widely, impacting the public role of art. The sitter is wearing the attire of the middle class or gentry of the time. It is highly likely that this image was commissioned by the sitter or his family in order to project an image of social standing. The image speaks to the increased importance of the individual within Dutch society. But it is also important to consider the cultural and political context in which the image was made. Was the sitter an important political figure? What was the political agenda of the artist, or the institution that commissioned the work? The social conditions that shape artistic production are complex and multifaceted. To fully understand a work of art, we need to consider the historical, social, and political context in which it was created. We can learn more through archival research of personal and institutional histories.