Portret van Jacob Cornelis van Marken 1846

Leonard de Koningh made this portrait of Jacob Cornelis van Marken using lithography in 1846. De Koningh was a known painter and lithographer from the Netherlands. Van Marken's somber attire reflects the social and religious norms of the 19th century. During this period, there were many social expectations dictating how individuals, especially those in positions of authority, dressed and presented themselves. The clothing of religious figures was a marker of identity and status. This portrait captures not just his physical likeness, but also something about the social expectations of his role. Consider how portraits like this both document and construct identity. Van Marken is not simply being represented, but is also performing a role, adhering to certain social scripts. This image offers us a glimpse into the performance of identity in 19th-century Netherlands and the intersection of religious identity and social expectation.