Zelfportret van George Gillis Haanen
1817 - 1880
Medium
prepared paper
Dimensions
163; 233
Rights
Public Domain
About this artwork
Aankoop uit het F.G. Waller-Fonds
Art Historical Context
**Zelfportret van Gillis HaanenGeorge Gillis Haan (1817–1880), a artist from a prominent family of painters, crafted this intimate self-portrait, offering a personal glimpse into his world. Active in the 19th century, Haanen was known for his contributions to landscape and genre painting within the Romantic tradition, though this work shifts focus to portraiture. Created during a period when self-portraits served as both artistic exercises and reflections of identity, it captures the artist's self-perception amid the evolving Dutch art scene. Executed on prepared paper—a technique popular among draftsmen for its tinted ground that enhances light and shadow effects without full underpainting—this small-scale piece (233 × 163 mm) suggests a preparatory study or private sketch. The modest dimensions invite close viewing, emphasizing Haanen's skill in capturing expression and form on an unconventional support, bridging drawing and painting traditions. Acquired through the F.G. Waller-Fonds, a dedicated art purchase fund, this self-portrait entered a museum collection, preserving Haanen's legacy. It reminds visitors of the personal stories behind grand artistic movements, highlighting how everyday materials fostered profound introspection in 19th-century Europe.
About the Artist
George Gillis Haanen · 1807–1879
Comment on works: views; interiors; genre scenes; miniatures; portraits; painter; master draughtsman; graphic artist; etcher; lithographer; miniature painter; artisan; illuminator; gem cutter