Portret van Vittorio Alfieri 1826

Henri Grevedon created this print of Vittorio Alfieri. In this portrait, we see Alfieri, an Italian dramatist and poet, in profile. The artist portrays Alfieri wearing a cape, accentuating his intellectual persona. Alfieri was a nobleman who rejected his aristocratic background to become a writer, his plays often explored themes of liberty and tyranny, reflecting the political turbulence of his time, including the French Revolution. In many ways, Alfieri was trying to write tragedy anew, giving it a new political purpose. He was determined to be an original writer at a time when most writers were quite happy to imitate French models, his intensity and dramatic flair were definitely a kind of revolutionary act. Alfieri’s work reflects the changing societal values of the late 18th century, with its emphasis on individualism and resistance to traditional forms of authority. This portrait captures Alfieri as a figure of intellectual and political defiance.