Portret van Cornelius Ekama

About this artwork

verzamelaarsmerk, verso, gestempeld: Lugt 2228

Art Historical Context

"Portret van Cornelius Ekama" is a striking lithograph by Johann Peter Berghaus, July 19, 1847. Measuring 367 mm high by 280 mm wide, this portrait the likeness of Cornelius Ekama, a notable figure from mid-19th-century Netherlands Berghaus, a skilled German-born lithographer active in Amsterdam, in detailed portraits and illustrations, contributing to the vibrant print culture of the era. Lithography, the medium here, revolutionized 19th-century art by allowing artists to draw directly on stone for high-quality, reproducible prints. This technique enabled affordable dissemination of portraits beyond elite circles, blending the precision of drawing with the scalability of printmaking. Berghaus's work exemplifies the Romantic emphasis on individuality, rendering Ekama with lifelike expression and fine detailing typical of Biedermeier portraiture. On the verso, a collector's mark stamped Lugt 2228 attests to its provenance, linking it to esteemed Dutch collections—possibly the Rijksmuseum. Such marks highlight the artwork's enduring value in art historical scholarship, inviting visitors to appreciate not just the image, but its journey through time.