Portret van de heer Gerbr. Bruining 1811 - 1877

This is a lithograph portrait of Mr. Gerbr. Bruining by Petrus Bruining. The sitter’s profile, stern and resolute, is framed by the fashion of his time, particularly his jacket. Consider how this jacket with a high, closed collar evokes a sense of formality and intellectual rigor, reminiscent of clerical or academic dress seen across centuries. This very same design echoes in the attire of philosophers, clergy, and revolutionaries, each context imbuing it with new, yet connected significance. It is almost as if the jacket itself holds a memory, a visual echo resonating through time. The image has an undeniably psychological impact, the subject’s gaze and somber expression invite reflection. These are echoes of a man grappling with the weight of his era, mirroring the concerns and anxieties of the society he inhabits. The portrait is not merely a record but a complex layering of historical, cultural, and deeply personal meanings.