Zelfportret van J.H. Koelman 1840

This self-portrait was made in 1840 by Johan Hendrik Koelman, using graphite on paper. Likenesses like this give us an intriguing glimpse into the Romantic era in the Netherlands. We see it not only in the delicate rendering of the artist’s features, but also in the slightly dishevelled hair and the fashionable coat. During this period, a burgeoning art market emerged, fuelled by a growing middle class with a taste for portraiture. Artists like Koelman were thus incentivized to produce works that catered to this new audience, often depicting themselves in a manner that conveyed both artistic sensitivity and social standing. Art historians can delve into the period’s fashion plates, social commentaries, and exhibition records to enrich our understanding of this drawing. By considering the social and institutional context, we can appreciate how artists responded to their changing world.