Portrait of Lieutenant-Colonel Benjamin Roelofswaard - Ernst Willem Jan Bagelaar

A detailed etching by Dutch artist Ernst Willem Jan Bagelaar, depicting Lieutenant-Colonel Benjamin Roelofswaard in formal military uniform.

This etching by the Dutch artist Ernst Willem Jan Bagelaar captures the likeness of Lieutenant-Colonel Benjamin Roelofswaard. Bagelaar, a skilled printmaker and draughtsman, was known for his technical precision in the medium of etching. The work demonstrates his ability to render texture and form through controlled line work, particularly in the representation of the subject's military uniform and the feathered bicorne hat.

The portrait focuses on the upper torso and head of the subject, who is depicted in a formal military stance. The artist employs a variety of hatching techniques to define the shadows on the face and the folds of the uniform, creating a sense of volume. The bicorne hat, a common element of military attire during this period, is rendered with attention to the texture of the fabric and the plume. The subject's expression is serious, reflecting the formal nature of military portraiture in the early nineteenth century.

Bagelaar often produced works that documented figures of his time, and this print is an example of his contribution to the portraiture tradition in the Netherlands. The composition is straightforward, placing the subject against a plain background to ensure the viewer's attention remains on the character and details of the uniform. The print exhibits the characteristic qualities of early nineteenth-century etching, where the clarity of the line is paramount. This piece offers a glimpse into the military fashion and portrait styles prevalent during the artist's career, providing a record of the individual's appearance and status. The work is a fine example of the technical proficiency expected of a professional printmaker of the era, showing a disciplined approach to portraiture that avoids unnecessary embellishment.