Autobiographical Questionnaire - Johannes Christiaan Bendorp

A rare 1840 biographical questionnaire completed by the Dutch engraver Johannes Christiaan Bendorp for a historical dictionary of artists.

This document is a completed biographical questionnaire, known as a 'Vraagpunten', submitted by the Dutch engraver Johannes Christiaan Bendorp in 1840. It was prepared for inclusion in the multi-volume work 'De Levens en Werken der Hollandsche en Vlaamsche Kunstschilders, Beeldhouwers, Graveurs en Bouwmeesters', a comprehensive biographical dictionary compiled by Johannes Immerzeel Jr.

The form provides a direct, handwritten account of Bendorp's professional life. He identifies his birthplace as Dordrecht and his birth date as 5 January 1766. He lists his primary profession as 'Graveur' (engraver) and notes his training under the artist Langendijk. The document includes his signature and details regarding his membership in the Koninklijk Nederlandsch Instituut, which he attained in 1824.

Visually, the piece is a formal printed template with handwritten entries in iron gall ink. The layout reflects the bureaucratic and scholarly standards of the mid-nineteenth century, prioritising clarity and factual record-keeping. It offers a rare, primary-source glimpse into the life of a working artist during the Dutch Romantic period. The paper shows the natural ageing of the period, with the ink retaining its characteristic sepia tone. This print is an excellent choice for those interested in the history of art documentation, genealogy, or the professional lives of nineteenth-century European artisans. It serves as a factual record of Bendorp's career, documenting his transition from a student of Langendijk to a recognised member of the Dutch artistic establishment.