Portret van François-Augustin de Paradis de Moncrif 1778 - 1787

François Robert Ingouf created this print of François-Augustin de Paradis de Moncrif. Without a date, it’s difficult to pinpoint the exact moment of its creation. Nevertheless, we can still consider the late 17th and 18th-century social context in which this work was made. Portraits like these were often commissioned by or for members of the aristocracy, solidifying their place in the social hierarchy. They were a performance of identity, designed to project a certain image of power, status, and refinement. Moncrif, as depicted here, with his powdered wig and elegant attire, is undoubtedly a man of status. Yet, these kinds of representations often glossed over more complex realities of gender, class, and power. In a society marked by rigid social structures, these portraits served as tools for reinforcing those very structures, all while revealing the emotional and personal dimensions of the sitter. In his gaze, we see a hint of self-awareness, as if Moncrif is both participating in and questioning the performance of his identity.