Portret van Pierre Augustin Béclard c. 1822 - 1838

Nicolas Maurin created this print of Pierre Augustin Béclard in France, sometime in the first half of the 19th century. Here, Béclard is presented to us not as an individual, but as a figure of authority. Note the formal attire. The meticulous rendering of his clothing tells us of his status, as does the reference to his role as a professor at the Faculty of Medicine in Paris. In post-revolutionary France, institutions like the Faculty of Medicine played a crucial role in shaping scientific and social norms. Prints like these served to disseminate and reinforce the values of the institution. To fully understand the print, we can turn to archives, institutional records, and biographical accounts. These resources help us understand the social context in which the image was made, as well as the role of art in reflecting and reinforcing social hierarchies. By exploring these connections, we gain insight into the complex interplay between art, power, and society.