Portret van Frans van der Breggen Cornelisz

About this artwork

height 415 mm x width 315 mm

Art Historical Context

Welcome to our virtual museum exhibit featuring *Portret van Frans van der Breggen Cornelisz* by Leonard de Koningh a striking 1836 lithograph measuring 415 mm high by 315 mm wide. Created in the Netherlands during the early 19th century, this portrait captures the likeness of Frans van der Breggen Cornisz, likely a figure of local prominence, rendered with the precision typical of the era's printmaking innovations. Lithography, the medium here, revolutionized art reproduction after its invention in the late 18th century. By drawing directly on a lithographic stone with greasy ink, artists like de Koningh could produce detailed, tonal images that mimicked paintings—ideal for affordable portraits distributed to the middle class. This technique's rise in the 1830s democratized portraiture, making personal commemoration accessible beyond oil paintings reserved for the elite. At over 40 cm tall, this generous sheet size suggests it was designed for framing and display in homes or civic spaces, blending artistic skill with practical cultural function. De Koningh's work exemplifies how lithography bridged fine art and everyday life, preserving individual stories amid Europe's industrializing societies. A testament to 19th-century ingenuity!