Portret van Phoebus Hitzerus Themmen 1794 - 1828

Ludwig Gottlieb Portman created this print of Phoebus Hitzerus Themmen at an unknown date. The print offers a window into the social values of the late 18th and early 19th centuries in the Netherlands. The portrait format itself suggests the importance of individual identity and status within society, and the sitter’s attire and bearing speak to the values of the Dutch middle class. The simplicity of dress and demeanor indicates a rejection of aristocratic excess in favor of middle-class virtues. Themmen is presented as a figure of civic responsibility. To fully understand this work, we might delve into records of civic life in the Netherlands, exploring the professional and social circles in which both artist and sitter moved. Such investigations allow us to understand how artistic representation was used to solidify social standing and communicate one's values. Ultimately, the meaning of this print is contingent upon these social and institutional contexts.