Dimensions: height 164 mm, width 122 mm
Copyright: Rijks Museum: Open Domain
François de Meersman created this portrait of A. Neremburger using etching and engraving techniques. De Meersman, active in the 19th century, was part of a society deeply structured by class and emerging notions of national identity. This portrait provides a glimpse into the visual culture of the time, where representations of men often emphasized respectability and status through carefully rendered details of dress and facial features. The sitter's confident gaze, combined with the detailed rendering of his suit, suggests a desire to convey authority and perhaps, bourgeois values. Consider how portraits like these contributed to the construction of identity in 19th-century Europe. They served not just as likenesses, but as carefully constructed images reflecting social standing. In its restrained elegance, this portrait offers insight into the aspirations and self-perception of its subject, shaped by the norms of his time.
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