Portret van J. van den Broek Possibly 1849

This is Johann Peter Berghaus’s portrait of J. van den Broek, created using lithography, a printmaking technique. The lithograph presents a seated man whose gaze is directed towards us, engaging the viewer directly. Berghaus employs a detailed approach to capture the texture of the sitter's clothing and the subtle contours of his face. The composition, largely symmetrical, focuses on the figure, using light and shadow to give volume and depth. The lithographic technique allows for fine lines and gradations of tone, contributing to the photograph-like realism of the portrait. The meticulous rendering of details like the fabric's folds and the subject's hair suggests Berghaus's concern with capturing the individual's likeness and status. This attention to detail invites a consideration of how portraiture functions within broader cultural and social contexts. The formal elements work together to create a portrait that is both aesthetically pleasing and indicative of the values and techniques prevalent in 19th-century printmaking. The beauty of this piece lies not just in its representational accuracy but in how it serves as a document of artistic and cultural practices of its time.