Portret van Jacoba des Amorie van der Hoeven 1891

Jan Veth created this print of Jacoba des Amorie van der Hoeven in the Netherlands, likely around the turn of the 20th century. Consider the rise of portraiture in the context of the Dutch Golden Age, where art served to commemorate the rising merchant class. By the late 19th century, portraiture shifted from the celebration of wealth to an interest in capturing individual character and psychological depth. The etching medium here is a more egalitarian medium than painting, suggesting the increased importance of this sitter’s social and intellectual life, and perhaps signaling a shift away from older aristocratic conventions. To understand this image more fully, we might consult historical archives to uncover more about Jacoba des Amorie van der Hoeven and her role in Dutch society, as well as exploring the artistic circles in which Veth operated. Art, after all, is deeply embedded in the social fabric of its time.