Portret van Jan Steen 1854

Jacobus Ludovicus Cornet created this portrait of Jan Steen using etching in 1855. Cornet, living in a time of burgeoning national identity, resurrects the Dutch master Jan Steen, known for his genre paintings of everyday life. Here, Steen is depicted with a jovial expression, a pipe in hand, embodying the stereotype of the merry artist. This choice, however, is loaded. Consider the romanticized, almost fetishized image of the artist, often male, white, and associated with leisure and genius. How does this portrayal reinforce or challenge those notions? This image invites us to consider the construction of artistic identity and the weight of history. While seemingly a light-hearted tribute, it subtly engages with questions of cultural heritage, artistic legacy, and the narratives we construct around the artists we celebrate. It reminds us that representation is never neutral.