Karikatuurportret van Gerardus Johannes Roermeester 1860 - 1899

Elchanon Verveer made this caricature portrait of Gerardus Johannes Roermeester with graphite. The image presents us with an exaggerated depiction of Roermeester, likely a figure of some social standing in the Netherlands during the 19th century. Caricatures like this served a vital social function at the time. They provided a means of critiquing public figures and commenting on social norms through humor and satire. Looking closely, we can see how Verveer uses visual codes to create meaning. Exaggerated features, like the figure’s round belly and the scraggly hair escaping from under his cap, serve to mock Roermeester’s physical appearance. The setting, perhaps a park or wooded area, might allude to Roermeester's leisure activities or social status. But without more information about the context in which this drawing was made, it’s difficult to say for sure. Understanding such an image requires careful research into the social and institutional context of 19th-century Dutch society. By consulting historical records and delving into the artist's biography, we can gain a richer understanding of the image's meaning.