Portret van Willem Bilderdijk 1794 - 1866

Willem Grebner created this portrait of Willem Bilderdijk using black chalk and stumping. Bilderdijk was a complex figure in Dutch history, living through the Batavian Republic and the Napoleonic Kingdom of Holland. This portrait offers a glimpse into the construction of masculinity during a time of political upheaval. Bilderdijk's ruffled collar and tailored coat speak to the sartorial codes of the era, a time when clothing served as a marker of social status and intellectual prowess. The books in the background aren’t just props. They are a signifier of knowledge. Bilderdijk was a controversial figure, known for his staunchly conservative views and opposition to the liberal ideas of the Enlightenment. It’s a portrait that captures the tension between tradition and modernity, inviting us to reflect on the legacies of the past.