Portret van notaris Malluc 1847

Joseph Schubert created this portrait of Notaris Malluc using lithography. As a notaris, Malluc occupied a position of literacy, professional standing, and relative power in society. This portrait would have served to underscore his position. In the 19th century, traditional European society saw distinct roles for men and women, with men often associated with public life and professional achievements. This image shows us Malluc’s professional identity, as well as the privileges he possessed as a man of that time. Yet what does it mean to fix identity in an image? The lithograph would have made the image reproducible, extending Malluc’s reach, while also reducing the cost of portraiture. The marks of the lithographic stone are clearly visible. Look closely, and you can see the material conditions of the artwork. Consider how portraiture and the act of representation are tied to power and identity.