Portret van Willem Hendrik Gispen 1857 - 1909

Emrik & Binger made this portrait of Willem Hendrik Gispen as a print. Looking at the image, we can see the strict conventions of formal portraiture in the late nineteenth century. The sitter presents himself as respectable and trustworthy. But, it is important to consider the function of such images in the context of the society that produced them. In the Netherlands at this time, there was a strong cultural emphasis on commerce and industry, as the country sought to maintain its economic and political power in the face of European competition. The values of hard work, thrift, and social responsibility were reflected in formal portraiture. Many institutions such as the family, the church, and the state, depended on people to fill the social roles that were expected of them, and portraiture played its part in this. As an art historian, I can examine publications from the period, genealogical records, and business directories to understand the social role occupied by individuals such as Gispen. The meaning and significance of any artwork is always contingent on its social and institutional context.