Portret van Jacobus Grooff 1844 - 1851

Curator: This is a pencil drawing of Jacobus Grooff, made sometime between 1844 and 1851. The artist is Willem Bastiaan van Wouw. It’s currently held in the Rijksmuseum. Editor: What strikes me first is the subtlety of the gradations—how Van Wouw uses the pencil to create such soft modeling. The subject's gaze, combined with the limited palette, gives it a somber tone, doesn’t it? Curator: Yes, the subdued tones definitely add to the gravitas. Grooff was Bishop of Castanea, and Apostolic Vicar of Java, so the religious symbolism is quite important. The cross on his chest, the ring on his finger—these aren’t just decorative; they are emblems of his authority. Editor: Absolutely. Consider the way his garments are rendered—they define and delineate him, establishing hierarchy in the composition. Did he commission the artwork or was it a posthumous homage? Curator: From my understanding, it’s neither. Willem Bastiaan van Wouw was likely commissioned by someone connected to Grooff, or by an institution wanting to commemorate his service in Java. The drawing was created to be printed into a lithograph. Editor: Interesting, and that intention—to translate this drawing into another medium—perhaps informs Van Wouw’s stark realism. The detail in his face, the precision in his clothing. He wants to provide clear information, not to editorialize. Curator: Precisely. Look at the lines of his face—you see age, experience, but also perhaps a certain… sternness. It’s a realistic portrayal meant to convey the weight of his responsibilities, reflecting his leadership role in a complex colonial environment. He likely wanted to present the image of someone dutiful to the missions he led and who dedicated himself to his religious calling. Editor: This makes me reconsider the starkness, doesn’t it? What I first saw as subdued is actually quite powerful in its directness. There is an unflinching quality to it, isn’t there? Curator: It is. The drawing holds an almost iconic quality, serving both as a representation of an individual and of a legacy—of religious influence and perseverance in Java. Editor: Well, it’s a striking piece of work. I've walked away from it feeling both enlightened and humbled, appreciating the skill required to breathe such intensity of expression into something that’s merely made of paper and graphite.