Portret van Willem Petrus Jacobus Maas Geesteranus before 1853

Here is a portrait of Willem Petrus Jacobus Maas Geesteranus, made by Johan Hendrik Hoffmeister using lithography. The portrait employs subtle gradations of gray to model the sitter’s features and clothing, achieving a lifelike quality. Hoffmeister uses sharp, precise lines to define the contours of his face and the details of his attire, which contrast with the softer, smudged shading that creates depth and volume. This manipulation of line and tone suggests a sophisticated understanding of light and shadow. The formal composition, with its emphasis on clarity and structure, reflects a broader artistic engagement with the representation of identity and social standing. What might the interplay between these formal elements and the subject's social context reveal about the construction of self in the 19th century? This portrait invites us to consider how artistic techniques intersect with cultural codes to convey meaning.