Portret van Napoleon, kniestuk, staand, driekwart naar links 1814 - 1860

Auguste Raffet made this portrait of Napoleon using pencil and brush with watercolor, likely on paper. The material handling here is really interesting. The washes of color create a sense of depth and volume, while the pencil lines add definition and structure. Notice how the texture of the paper itself becomes part of the image, particularly in the background. Raffet's quick, fluid strokes suggest a sense of immediacy, as if capturing a fleeting moment. It's worth thinking about this in terms of the labor involved, too. The speed and efficiency of the medium allowed Raffet to produce multiple images relatively quickly, catering to a growing demand for portraits of Napoleon. This commodification of imagery reflects a shift in the art world, driven by new technologies and expanding markets. Ultimately, this small, unassuming work offers a fascinating glimpse into the intersection of art, politics, and commerce in the 19th century. It reminds us that even seemingly simple sketches can carry complex social and cultural meanings.