Mevrouw Ziesenis in de rol van Fedra - Johannes Jelgerhuis

A fine etching by Johannes Jelgerhuis depicting the Dutch actress Johanna Cornelia Ziesenis-Wattier in the classical role of Phaedra.

This etching by Johannes Jelgerhuis captures the Dutch actress Johanna Cornelia Ziesenis-Wattier in her performance as the tragic figure Phaedra. Jelgerhuis, himself an actor and painter, possessed a unique understanding of stagecraft, which informs the precise rendering of the costume and the dramatic posture of the subject. The work reflects the Neoclassical interest in classical antiquity, as seen in the stylised drapery and the antique-inspired headpiece worn by the actress.

The composition is spare, focusing entirely on the figure against a neutral background. The line work is clean and deliberate, typical of the period's printmaking techniques, which prioritised clarity and form over tonal complexity. The actress is depicted in a moment of emotional intensity, with her arm extended and her expression conveying the gravity associated with the role of Phaedra. The text included in the upper right corner identifies the subject and the role, a common convention in theatrical portraiture of the early nineteenth century.

Jelgerhuis was a significant figure in the Dutch theatre world, and his documentation of contemporary performers provides a record of the acting styles and costume designs of his era. This print offers a glimpse into the intersection of fine art and the performing arts during the early 1800s. The simplicity of the execution allows the viewer to focus on the theatricality of the pose and the specific details of the historical costume. It is a piece that appeals to those interested in the history of the stage, European printmaking, and the cultural life of the Netherlands in the early nineteenth century.