Portret van Lieven Mehus 1875 - 1899

J. Medderigh created this portrait of Lieven Mehus using etching. This portrait offers a window into the cultural identity of artists during its time. Mehus is depicted with the tools of his trade, palette and brush in hand. More than this, however, he’s styled in a manner befitting the elite. His clothing and long hair indicate his status as a man of stature, even if his relaxed pose suggests a departure from more formal portraiture styles. Consider how artists like Mehus negotiated their positions in society. While they were creatives, they were also laborers working under the patronage of wealthier classes. Representations like this offered a way for artists to assert their identities and status, while navigating the complex social hierarchies of their time.