Portret van Jean-Baptiste Madou 1836 - 1902

This is Joseph Arnold Demannez's portrait of Jean-Baptiste Madou, made with engraving. Demannez and Madou were both Belgian artists operating in the 19th century, a period marked by significant social and political change as well as a growing middle class with new cultural values and a desire for portraiture. Considered within this context, this portrait raises questions about identity, representation, and societal status. The sitter, Madou, is depicted with a certain formality, which speaks to the conventions of bourgeois portraiture during this era. But what does it mean to portray a fellow artist? Is this an act of homage, a statement of artistic solidarity, or something more complex? As you gaze upon this image, consider the relationship between artist and sitter, and the many layers of identity and representation at play.