Portret van Abraham Everardus Simon Thomas Possibly 1854

This is a lithograph "Portret van Abraham Everardus Simon Thomas" by Johann Peter Berghaus, housed in the Rijksmuseum. The composition is stark and centered, capturing the sober likeness of a gentleman. Berghaus employs a tight tonal range, focusing on the gradations of gray to define form and texture. The formal constraints of lithography are evident: Berghaus utilizes meticulous cross-hatching to achieve depth and volume, a technique that speaks to the graphic nature of the medium. The figure's attire, rendered with careful attention to detail, serves as a signifier of social status and identity, placing him within a specific cultural context. The texture of the paper itself adds another layer, grounding the image in its material reality. Consider how Berghaus uses line and shading to convey not just appearance, but also character and presence. This work invites us to consider the power of portraiture and its ability to communicate layers of meaning through formal means.