Portrait of a Child c. 1816

This "Portrait of a Child" was created by the Comte de Charles Philibert Lasteyrie du Saillant, sometime in the late 18th or early 19th century. The delicate lines of the lithograph capture the sitter’s youthfulness, but also speak to the social conditions that made such an image possible. France in this period was defined by rigid social hierarchies, and portraiture was primarily the domain of the aristocracy and wealthy bourgeoisie. The detailed rendering of the child’s features, her carefully styled hair and delicate clothing, all signal a certain level of affluence and social standing. Lasteyrie himself was a member of the French aristocracy, which gave him access to this world. As historians, we delve into archives, study fashion trends, and analyze social structures to better understand the context in which artworks like this were made. Only then can we fully appreciate its role in reflecting and reinforcing the values of its time.