Portret van een jong meisje c. 1840 - 1843

Sybrand Altmann made this pencil drawing, titled 'Portret van een jong meisje', in the Netherlands sometime in the 19th century. At this time, Dutch art academies were dominated by history painting, with its emphasis on grand narratives and moral lessons, yet this intimate sketch reflects a different sensibility. Altmann's choice to depict a young girl suggests a shift towards more personal and domestic themes, mirroring broader social changes in Dutch society. The rise of the middle class created new opportunities for artists to cater to private patrons with scenes of everyday life. To understand Altmann’s place in the art world, we can research the exhibition records of the time, as well as the membership lists of artists' societies. By examining the social networks and economic structures that shaped his career, we can gain insight into the changing role of art and artists in 19th-century Netherlands.