Zelfportret van Louis Henry de Fontenay 1840

This is Louis Henri de Fontenay's self-portrait, created around 1830, using graphite. Fontenay was a man living in a time of shifting social structures and evolving ideas about the self. The portrait gives a sense of the individual but also connects to wider historical and social contexts. Consider the implications of self-representation during the 19th century. How does Fontenay want to be seen? There is a certain gentleness in his eyes, but his posture hints at a more formal, public self. In this period we see a change in how masculinity is represented, moving away from the flamboyance of previous eras towards a more restrained and intellectual image. The intimacy of a self-portrait invites us to reflect on the artist's personal identity and how it intersects with broader social expectations. It encourages us to contemplate the complex relationship between the individual and the society in which they live.