Portret van Antoine-François Fourcroy c. 1827 - 1830

Bernard Romain Julien created this portrait of Antoine-François Fourcroy using lithography, a process that democratized image production in the 19th century. Fourcroy was a celebrated chemist, and this portrait captures the image of a man of science during a time of great intellectual and social change. The portrait, with its detailed rendering, presents Fourcroy as an enlightened figure. But what does it mean to portray a scientist in this era? How might the clean lines and ordered composition reflect the values placed on reason and scientific inquiry during the Enlightenment and its aftermath? Consider the role of portraiture in shaping public perception and cementing legacies. It invites us to consider the identities and histories of those deemed worthy of representation, while also highlighting those who remain unseen. Who gets remembered, and how?