Portret van Volney 1785 - 1845

This 19th-century engraving, “Portret van Volney,” by J.L. (II) Benoist, depicts a portrait of the French writer and politician, Constantin François Chassebœuf, comte de Volney, in profile within a decorative oval. The artwork uses a combination of symbolic objects such as an open book, a globe, and an Egyptian bust to represent Volney's intellectual pursuits and travels. The cherub at the top holding a laurel wreath alludes to Volney's accomplishments and legacy. This print provides a unique insight into the artistic representation of intellectuals during the 19th century.