Portret van Jean Jacques Simons, commandant der stellingen in Bergen op Zoom 1819 - 1897

Curator: The artwork before us is a pencil drawing. This is “Portret van Jean Jacques Simons, commandant der stellingen in Bergen op Zoom”, dating from between 1819 and 1897 and created by Tiemen Hooiberg. Editor: My immediate impression is one of solidity and restrained power. The careful hatching creates a palpable sense of form and weight, grounding the figure. Curator: Absolutely. Hooiberg presents Simons not just as an individual but as a symbol of civic and military authority in Bergen op Zoom. Think of the period; post-Napoleonic Netherlands finding its feet again. The drawing embodies that re-emergence of stability, portraying a figure central to that. Editor: It’s intriguing how Hooiberg employs such a limited palette, really, to achieve such a convincing illusion. Notice how the delicate pencil work defines the intricate details of his uniform, especially the epaulettes and the medals. There's a beautiful balance between precision and suggestion. Curator: The precision serves a purpose. This portrait probably would have circulated within Bergen op Zoom or among Simons’ military circle. Accuracy was paramount to cement Simons' status and the legitimacy of his command. Editor: That sharp focus on detail is what brings it to life. Look at the subtle modelling around the eyes and mouth! There is an understated confidence in his gaze, it shows much authority. Curator: Agreed, but I also see the drawing participating in a larger cultural trend. Remember the rise of the middle class in the 19th century and their interest in commissioning portraits? This is about defining and projecting status. Editor: Perhaps so. What strikes me most, though, is its skillful modulation of light and shadow that breathes life into it. It shows a good technical command of the medium. Curator: A commendable assessment and one that acknowledges the context that helps define the drawing’s creation and purpose. Editor: And I concede that without understanding the period, its subtleties might indeed be lost.