Portret van François de Bonne 1755 - 1765

This engraving of François de Bonne, made by Jacques Nicolas Tardieu, dates from the 18th century, although Bonne himself lived two centuries earlier. The image presents Bonne in a stone frame, like a classical bust, with text below that describes him as a Duke and Constable of France, a very high-ranking military official. With his sword and elaborate clothing, Bonne exudes aristocratic power. We need to consider that this image of a 17th-century nobleman was made in the 18th century. What was the role of the aristocracy at that time? Was it seen as a valuable class, or as an outmoded drain on society? The French Revolution was just around the corner, after all. Careful research into the engraver, the subject, and the social context of this image can teach us a lot about the politics of imagery in 18th century France.