Portret van Joachim Murat koning van Napels 1776 - 1849

Curator: This is a portrait of Joachim Murat, King of Naples, dating from the late 18th or early 19th century, attributed to Johannes Christiaan Bendorp. It is an engraving. Editor: There's a fascinating stiffness to this. Despite the ornate military dress, I find the overall impression rather constrained. Almost like a caricature, emphasizing the social limitations of powerful men. Curator: The neo-classical style, popular at the time, demanded a certain level of decorum and idealization in portraiture, but as a print it has the scope to circulate widely to disseminate these ideals or lampoon them, even. Murat was a significant figure in Napoleonic Europe, remember. Editor: Yes, and considering the historical context—the French Revolution, the rise and fall of Napoleon—this portrait becomes so much more than just an image of a king. It invites discussion on the construction of power through imagery, who gets represented, and in what manner. Curator: Engravings played a critical role in disseminating images of power and celebrity. Think about the reach that could have during Murat's reign, the constant war with the rest of Europe. How it might've been perceived outside of France is so very important here. Editor: Precisely. This print speaks to the broader politics of image-making and consumption. I wonder how many engravings depicting Murat circulated, and what their varied representations suggested about the attitude towards his kingship in diverse social settings? Curator: It's these details that offer us a window into the world that produced this art, these issues of dissemination and audience which brings historical figures such as Murat to modern consciousness. Editor: Right. The power of visual rhetoric across centuries never fails to deliver crucial context on any issue that impacts community or culture. Thank you. Curator: An important distinction. Thank you too.