Portret van Humbert de Superville

About this artwork

width 174 mm x height 248 mm

Art Historical Context

**Portret van Humbert deille** is a finely executed etching by the Dutch artist Jacobus Ludovic Cornet, dated 1851. This intimate portrait measures 174 mm in width by 248 mm in height, it a compact yet detailed work suited for personal collections or scholarly study. Cornet, active in the mid-19th century, captures likeness of Humbert de Superv, a notable figure likely honored through this posthumous tribute—given the date aligns with the years following de Superville's life. Etching, Cornet's chosen medium, exemplifies 19th-century printmaking prowess. The artist would coat a metal plate with a waxy ground, incise lines through it with a needle, then submerge it in acid to etch the grooves, creating rich tonal variations and precise details. This technique allowed for multiple impressions, democratizing access to high-quality portraits beyond oil paintings reserved for elites. In the context of Dutch art history, such works reflect a tradition of commemorative portraiture, bridging Romantic individualism and emerging Realism. This piece invites visitors to ponder de Superville's legacy, perhaps as an artist or thinker, through Cornet's masterful lines— a testament to etching's enduring role in preserving cultural memory.

About the Artist

Jacobus Ludovicus Cornet · 1815–1882

Jacobus Ludovicus Cornet (1815–1882) was a Dutch painter, draughtsman, and museum curator whose career bridged artistic practice and cultural preservation. Born in Leiden in 1815, Cornet devoted his life to documenting Dutch history and culture through his paintings and drawings while simultaneously working to preserve the nation's artistic heritage as head of Leiden's Prentenkabinet (Prints Cabin...