Christian Edouard Fraser (1812-79)

About this artwork

buitenmaat: diepte 7,1 cm (drager incl. SK-L-1406)

Art Historical Context

This striking oil on canvas portrait, painted in 1834 by Charles Howard Hodges, captures Christian Edouard Fraser at the age of twenty-two. Measuring just over 70 by 60 centimeters, the work presents a young man at the threshold of adulthood, his likeness rendered with the careful attention to detail typical of early nineteenth-century portraiture. Hodges, an English-born artist who spent much of his career in the Netherlands, was particularly sought after for his ability to convey both the personality and social standing of his sitters. Oil on canvas allowed Hodges to achieve subtle gradations of tone and texture, giving the portrait a lifelike presence that would have resonated with viewers of the time. The painting’s modest scale suggests it was intended for private display, perhaps within Fraser’s family home, rather than as a grand public statement. Today it resides in the Rijksmuseum collection, where it offers a quiet window into the personal histories of the Dutch elite during the reign of King William I. Fraser would go on to live until 1879, making this image a rare surviving record of his youth. The work stands as a testament to the enduring role of portraiture in preserving memory and identity across generations.

About the Artist

Charles Howard Hodges · 1764–1837

Comment on works: Portraits; Engraver