Portret van Jean de La Fontaine 1801

Editor: So, this is an engraving, a print really, made in 1801 by Augustin de Saint-Aubin. It’s called "Portrait of Jean de La Fontaine", and it’s pretty small. There’s a sort of formality to it that reminds me of official portraits, like something you’d see in a history book. What's striking to you about it? Curator: Well, seeing it as an 1801 print helps to contextualize it. Neoclassicism was ascendant then, heavily influencing how individuals – especially those of status – wanted to be perceived and presented. Knowing this was made after his death also brings a layer. The politics of imagery in memorialization were really important. Editor: Politics? In a portrait? Curator: Absolutely! Consider what gets highlighted: La Fontaine's profile, framed within that oval, evokes a sense of classical nobility, a type of visual association the rising bourgeoisie and intellectual class wanted. Also, the very act of creating and distributing prints made his image public, reproducible, and spreadable among those who admire his Fables. Think about the role of institutions like the "Rijksmuseum", the cultural and intellectual landscape during that era in relation to this single portrait. Editor: So it’s not just a picture of a guy, but a statement about who he was and how he should be remembered, accessible to all! Curator: Exactly. It prompts one to think about the forces at play that create a "celebrity", a figure deemed important enough to be captured and reproduced for a wider audience. Did this image circulate in academic or intellectual circles? How did its reception contribute to La Fontaine’s lasting legacy? Editor: I never considered the role of prints in shaping public perception. I suppose seeing this in the Rijksmuseum reinforces its importance and makes me reflect on cultural institutions! Thanks! Curator: Precisely. That reflection is the essence of understanding art’s broader impact. It has made me think more deeply too!