Karikatuur van de kunstenaar Jan Gerard Smits 1897

Elchanon Verveer made this caricature of the artist Jan Gerard Smits with pen, grey ink, and watercolour on paper. Caricatures such as this were very popular in the Netherlands in the 19th century. They were part of a broader culture of satire that took aim at social and political figures. This one pokes fun at Jan Gerard Smits, exaggerating his features and clothing to humorous effect. Consider the oversized fur coat, the dainty shoes, and the way the hat sits so precariously on his head. The Dutch art world at this time was dominated by institutions like the Rijksakademie, and artists often sought recognition through official channels. Caricatures offered a more subversive form of expression. They could challenge the status quo and critique the art establishment. To understand this image fully, we would want to know more about the relationship between Verveer and Smits. Were they rivals? Friends engaging in playful banter? Exploring such questions can help us understand the social dynamics of the art world in the Netherlands at the time.