Buste van een jongen, naar links 1775 - 1833

Jean Bernard made this drawing of a boy's bust in the late 18th or early 19th century, and it is now held at the Rijksmuseum. This type of portraiture became increasingly popular during that period, reflecting a growing interest in individualism and the representation of everyday life. In Dutch society, where the merchant class was rising, art became a means of asserting social status and personal identity. The Rijksmuseum itself, established in the early 19th century, played a crucial role in shaping national identity by collecting and displaying works like this. Bernard's drawing, with its attention to detail and delicate shading, captures the boy's likeness and also reveals broader cultural trends. To fully understand this work, we need to consider the social and economic conditions of the time, as well as the evolving role of museums in preserving and interpreting cultural heritage.