Portret van Pierre de Riël de Beurnonville 1793 - 1816

This is Reinier Vinkeles’s portrait of Pierre de Riël de Beurnonville, made with etching. Vinkeles created this portrait during a time of significant political upheaval, embedding the work within the swirling currents of the late 18th-century French Revolution and its aftermath. Beurnonville, a figure of aristocratic lineage, navigated the treacherous waters of revolutionary France, alternating between roles as a military leader and a political player. Notice the sitter's gaze, directed to the left, seemingly towards an unseen future. The details of his military attire are rendered with precision, emphasizing his status and authority, yet there’s a certain ambiguity in his expression that perhaps reflects the shifting allegiances of the era. How does one maintain their sense of self when the world is in flux? The portrait invites us to consider the complexities of identity, loyalty, and survival in a world undergoing radical transformation.