Portret van Jean-Baptiste Bouillaud 1838

Nicolas Maurin created this portrait of Jean-Baptiste Bouillaud using lithography during a period of significant social change in France. Maurin’s portrait captures Bouillaud, a prominent physician known for his work on heart disease and his support for the controversial method of bloodletting. Here, Bouillaud is presented through a lens of professional authority, yet his expression suggests a hint of unease or introspection. This depiction exists within a broader context of medical practices that, while pioneering, often intersected with debates about bodily autonomy and social control. The portrait raises questions about the relationship between medical authority, the representation of the individual, and the socio-political dynamics of the time. It reminds us of the complex interplay between personal identity, public perception, and the evolving landscape of medical science.