Portret van Jean-Joseph Thonissen before 1885

This is an anonymous portrait of Jean-Joseph Thonissen, published as a print in a European newspaper. It offers a fascinating glimpse into the representation of public figures in the 19th century. Consider the role of print media at the time. As photography became more widespread, newspapers like *L'Illustration Européenne* used portraiture to shape public perception of political figures. The formal pose, dress, and oval frame lend Thonissen an air of authority and respectability. But who was Thonissen, and what does his portrayal tell us about the values of the time? As a professor and Catholic statesman in Belgium, Thonissen embodied the conservative, patriarchal norms of his era. Yet, looking at this image today, one might wonder about the unacknowledged labor behind its creation. Who was the artist, and what were their intentions in depicting Thonissen this way? What perspectives are missing from this carefully constructed image of power and influence? By questioning its origins and assumptions, we can begin to unravel the complex relationships between identity, representation, and power that continue to shape our world today.