Portret van Jeronimo de Bosch Kemper Possibly 1853 - 1857

Here we see Johann Peter Berghaus's rendering of Jeronimo de Bosch Kemper, likely made in the mid-19th century. The lithograph presents us with a study in contrasts, primarily through the manipulation of light and shadow. Berghaus uses subtle gradations to model the face, creating a sense of volume, while darker, more definite lines define the contours of the jacket and tie. Notice how the artist directs our gaze through strategic highlighting, first to the face and then down the vest, before it dissipates into the surrounding pale ground. The portrait follows a structure of binary oppositions, for instance, the subject’s formal attire is set against an almost ethereal backdrop. In this way, the portrait not only captures the likeness of Jeronimo de Bosch Kemper but also acts as a signifier of status. The artist employs visual codes of the period, using form and composition to convey the sitter's standing within a broader socio-cultural framework.