Portret van Barend Cornelis Koekkoek - Gerhardus Fredericus Eilbracht

A nineteenth-century lithographic portrait of the Dutch painter Barend Cornelis Koekkoek, captured by Gerhardus Fredericus Eilbracht.

This lithographic portrait depicts Barend Cornelis Koekkoek, a figure of significance within nineteenth-century Dutch art. Executed by Gerhardus Fredericus Eilbracht, the work captures the subject in a formal, bust-length pose. Koekkoek is shown with his characteristic curly hair and a moustache, dressed in a military-style jacket featuring decorative frogging. The artist employs the lithographic medium to create soft tonal transitions, particularly in the shading around the subject's face and the subtle vignette that frames the torso.

Eilbracht demonstrates technical precision in the rendering of the fabric textures and the facial features. The composition is balanced, with the subject positioned centrally against a plain background, allowing the viewer to focus on the individual's expression. Below the portrait, the text identifies the sitter as B. C. Koekkoek, with the additional designation of 'Landschapschilder' and 'Peintre de Paysages', confirming his professional identity as a painter of natural scenes. The print includes publication details indicating it was produced in The Hague by Soeters & Fils.

As a historical document, this print offers insight into the visual culture of the period, where lithography served as a primary method for disseminating portraits of artists and public figures. The paper shows signs of age, including light foxing, which is common for works of this era. This print is a representative example of mid-nineteenth-century portraiture, reflecting the aesthetic preferences of the time for clear, dignified representations of creative professionals. It provides a direct visual record of Koekkoek, whose own work helped define the Dutch Romantic tradition. The print is suitable for those interested in the history of Dutch art or the technical development of lithography during the nineteenth century.