Portrait of Ernst Tourniaire

Person depicted Ernst Tourniaire (1849-1921)
Artist Thérèse Schwartze (1851-1918)
Medium Olieverf op doek
Year 1908
Year installed 1909

The Dordrecht-born actor Ernst Tourniaire came from a circus family that worked for Russian tsars. Tourniaire himself was discovered by Louis Bouwmeester and performed for a long time at the Stadsschouwburg. The portrait that Thérèse Schwartze made on the occasion of his fortieth anniversary was, subject to approval by the municipal council, to hang in the theatre "and be kept there for all eternity." When the old actor heard this during the anniversary performance, he was moved: "This brought tears to his eyes, his life's wish was fulfilled. With his hand on his heart, he gave thanks."