Portret van de schilder Nicolaas Pieneman 1855 - 1860

This is a photograph of the painter Nicolaas Pieneman by Louis Wegner, with dimensions of 404 by 330 millimetres. Captured in sepia tones, the portrait presents Pieneman seated, exuding a composed, almost academic, air. Wegner’s use of light and shadow delineates the textures of fabric and form, lending a sculptural quality to the figure. Compositionally, the gaze is drawn to the subject’s face. Note how the lines of his coat lead us to the detail in his hands and the sketch pad he holds. This careful arrangement reflects a broader discourse around representation. The photograph aims not only to capture likeness but also to convey status, intellect, and artistic sensibility. Yet, in doing so, it participates in a play of signs. Each element—from the ornate chair to the neoclassical vase—acts as a signifier. Together, they construct an image of the artist as a cultivated, intellectual subject. These symbols reflect the values of his time, but also subtly question the construction of artistic identity.