Silhouette Portrait of Jan Baptist Tetar van Elven - Elisabeth Alida Haanen
Archival giclée
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Description
A refined nineteenth-century silhouette portrait of the engraver Jan Baptist Tetar van Elven, executed in ink and watercolour by Dutch artist Elisabeth Alida Haanen.
This silhouette portrait by the Dutch artist Elisabeth Alida Haanen depicts Jan Baptist Tetar van Elven, a noted engraver and painter of the period. The work captures the subject in a strict profile view, a hallmark of the silhouette tradition that gained popularity in the early nineteenth century as a precise method of recording likenesses before the widespread adoption of photography.
Haanen employs a solid black ink fill to define the profile, focusing on the distinct contours of the nose, chin, and hair. The subject wears a high-collared coat, rendered with minimal detail to maintain the graphic clarity of the silhouette. Above the portrait, the inscription 'Graveur en Schilder' identifies the profession of the sitter, while the lower portion of the paper features his name, 'J.B. Tetar van Elven', written in a refined, cursive hand. The inclusion of these handwritten elements provides a personal, archival quality to the piece, suggesting it may have originated from a private album or a collection of portraits documenting contemporary figures.
The composition is framed by a simple, hand-drawn rectangular border, which serves to contain the figure and direct the viewer's attention to the profile. The paper shows signs of age, with a warm, off-white tone that complements the stark black ink. Haanen, who was part of a prominent family of artists, demonstrates a clear command of the medium, balancing the technical constraints of the silhouette with the individual character of the sitter. This work offers a glimpse into the social and artistic circles of the Netherlands during the 1830s, documenting a specific individual through a medium that prioritises form and outline over colour or texture.
Return policy
Because every print is made to order, we don't offer change-of-mind returns, refunds or exchanges. If your order arrives faulty, damaged or incorrect, we'll replace it free of charge — just contact us within 48 hours of delivery. See our refunds page for full details.
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We ship worldwide, printing at the production hub nearest to your delivery address. Delivery times and costs vary by destination — you'll see the options available to you at checkout.
Manufacturing
Each print is produced to order using 12-colour giclée printing on FSC-certified archival paper. Designed in Britain and printed at your nearest production hub to reduce waste and speed up delivery.
Care and materials
Specific Features
Every Solis piece is made to order with archival, gallery-quality materials built to last.
- Museum-grade giclée printing for rich, fade-resistant colour
- Archival matte fine-art paper, FSC-certified
- Multiple sizes and framing options available
- Frames in black, natural wood, dark wood or white
- Framed prints arrive ready to hang
Care & Cleaning
To keep your artwork looking its best:
- Dust gently with a soft, dry cloth
- Avoid prolonged direct sunlight
- Never use liquid cleaners on the print or canvas surface
- Keep in a dry, room-temperature space
- Handle prints with clean, dry hands
Materials & Sizing
Museum-grade giclée on FSC-certified archival matte paper, with framed and canvas options.
- Paper sizes: A4, A3, A2, A1, A0 and B2 (50×70 cm)
- Canvas: XS (20×30 cm) to Large (60×90 cm)
- Frames: black, natural wood, dark wood or white
Silhouette Portrait of Jan Baptist Tetar van Elven - Elisabeth Alida Haanen
Artist Biography
Elisabeth Alida Haanen
Her method relied on the contrast between light and shadow to define character. By stripping away colour and fine facial detail, Haanen forced the viewer to focus on the unique contours of a subject's face. This minimalist approach required a steady hand and a keen eye for proportion. Each silhouette in her catalogue maintains a strict formal quality, often framed within simple ovals that emphasise the subject's posture and professional dignity. The consistency across her series of artist portraits suggests a systematic effort to archive the faces of her contemporaries.
Modern collectors find value in the graphic clarity and historical weight of these works. The monochrome palette allows these prints to fit into contemporary interiors without clashing with existing decor. Unlike traditional portraits, these silhouettes offer a sense of mystery and anonymity while remaining historically grounded. They provide a direct connection to the Dutch Romantic period and are quiet observations of a lost generation of artists. For those interested in the history of the Netherlands, Haanen's work is a distinctive choice.
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