Johnson went to Europe in 1849 to learn techniques for creating figure paintings in oil. However, he had been a professional portrait draughtsman in Boston and Washington, D.C. for at least five years before that. In those early drawings he had a keen sense of creating heads using light tones and shadowed areas to create a strong three-dimensional effect. Studying the works of Rembrandt at The Hague inspired him to use the same techniques for his oil portraits. —PH
Otto Leopold van Limburg Stirum (1801–1879). In 1838, married first wife Aleida Hermanna Christina van der Wijck (1809–1849). Married second wife Susanna Sophia Ortt (1806–1875, m. 1850). Father of Frederica Augusta, Woltera Geertruida, Wigbold Albert Willem, and Hendrik, all of whom also were portrayed by Johnson, and two others.
- Portrait pose
: - Portrait sitter families
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