Portret van Jacob van Lennep 1866

Dirk Jurriaan Sluyter created this portrait of Jacob van Lennep using lithography. The composition is carefully arranged; the subject sits at a slight angle, inviting our gaze, while the limited tonal range creates a sense of austere refinement. The portrait's structure reveals a play between detail and abstraction. Notice how Sluyter meticulously renders van Lennep’s facial features, contrasting with the more generalized treatment of his clothing and the background. This focus encourages a reading of the face as a site of identity and character. Meanwhile, the arrangement of van Lennep’s body and his posture suggest a moment of thoughtful repose. Consider the way the artist's treatment of space and perspective contributes to the overall feeling of contemplative introspection, framing van Lennep within the context of his intellectual pursuits. The lithographic technique lends itself to the subtle gradations that enhance the textural richness. This print not only captures an individual likeness but also embodies a dialogue between form and representation.