Portret van Ferdinand-Philippe (hertog van Orléans) 1845

This is Joseph Schubert's portrait of Ferdinand-Philippe, Duke of Orléans. The black and white print shows the Duke in his military attire, a symbol of authority and status in 19th-century France. Portraits like these were tools that reinforced the sitter's identity. Ferdinand-Philippe, as a member of the Orléans royal family, was positioned between aristocracy and the emerging bourgeoisie. The portrayal of men in military garb has traditionally been used to convey power, authority, and nationalistic pride. Yet, this portrait hints at something more complex. There's an undeniable softness in the Duke's eyes, a vulnerability that humanizes him beyond his social standing. The work navigates the intersection of personal identity and public persona. While the Duke is presented in a manner befitting his status, the portrait subtly disrupts the conventional narrative of aristocratic masculinity. It reminds us that identity is not a fixed attribute, but a fluid and multifaceted construct shaped by social expectations and individual expression.