Portret van luitenant Werner, te paard 1803 - 1861

Jacob Joseph Eeckhout made this portrait of Lieutenant Werner on horseback using chalk on paper. Chalk lends itself to blending and soft lines, suiting the formality of portraiture. Here, the artist's technique is straightforward, yet imbued with social meaning. The paper support allows for quick sketches, a departure from formal oil paintings of the period. The medium allowed Eeckhout to emphasize the material's inherent qualities: its ability to capture light and shadow, and the texture of the uniform. We see a skilled artistic tradition, but also the wider social context of military portraiture. This work presents a shift in artistic practice, challenging traditional distinctions between fine art and craft by elevating the humble materials of chalk and paper. It is no longer just about celebrating military status, but also about the artistic process itself.