Portret van Bathilde d'Orléans 1776 - 1787

This print of Bathilde d'Orléans was made by Nicolas Dupin, an engraver working in France during the late 18th century. Dupin's delicate engraving captures the likeness of a member of the French aristocracy, and it also conveys ideas about status and social role. Engravings like this one circulated widely during the period and offer us a window into the visual culture of the French court. Note the elaborate dress and hairstyle, the ornate frame surrounding the portrait, and the heraldic symbols at the bottom. These are all visual codes that signal the subject's noble status and lineage, and these aspects would have been easily read by contemporary viewers. Dupin's print gives us some insight into the politics of imagery at the time, but to really understand its significance, we need to consider the broader social and institutional context. Prints like this one were often commissioned by or for the sitter, and they served as a form of publicity and self-promotion. Art historians can study court records, fashion plates, and other documents to better understand this world.