Portret van André Masséna, hertog van Rivoli, prins van Essling 1808 - 1868

This is a portrait of André Masséna, made with engraving by Carl Mayer, a 19th century artist. The image reflects the rise of celebrity culture intertwined with political power in post-revolutionary Europe. Masséna was a prominent military commander during the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars. The medals and decorations in the portrait are visual cues which represent his status and achievements. The artist was German but served a European market keen to commemorate the key figures of the Napoleonic era. The print was made for distribution to a wide audience, beyond aristocratic circles. This was made possible through new printing technologies. Looking at portraits like this, we might ask what the image tells us about French society under Napoleon? What was the relationship between the artist and the sitter? Answers to these questions lie in library archives and historical documents of the period. They help us understand the way art both reflects and shapes its contemporary world.