Johanna Henriëtte Besier

Johanna Henriëtte Besier was a printmaker whose documented artistic activity centers around 1875. Her known body of work consists of graphic studies spanning two primary subjects: detailed figural studies and pastoral landscapes, suggesting an interest in both portraiture and rural life during the latter half of the 19th century.

Five of Johanna Henriëtte Besier’s prints are currently represented in institutional collections, confirming her contribution to the history of graphic arts. The subjects of these works include scenes of labor, such as Man bint korenschoof op akker met koren, and evocative landscape depictions, including Landschap met bomen en vrouw met takkenbos. She also created intimate portrait studies, exemplified by Hoofd van oude vrouw met zwart kapje en doek om haar schouders and its companion piece, Hoofd van oude vrouw met zwart kapje en doek over haar schouders.

These historical works are preserved in the permanent collection of the Rijksmuseum. As museum-quality examples of 19th-century printmaking, Besier’s documentation of daily life continues to be studied. Today, these works are often made available as high-quality prints, with many entering the public domain, offering broad access to her concise artistic output.