Portret van Frans Ferdinand Filips Lodewijk Maria van Orléans 1818 - 1918

Jean Charles Pardinel made this print of Frans Ferdinand Filips Lodewijk Maria van Orléans, Prince of Joinville, sometime in the 19th century. It's a perfect example of how images of power were carefully constructed and disseminated during this period. Here, the Prince is presented as a figure of military authority. His uniform is crisp, his stance confident, even a little haughty. The sword and the backdrop of uniformed men reinforce this image of command. Pardinel, like many artists of his time, was working within a well-established visual language designed to communicate specific ideas about leadership and social hierarchy. This portrait was made in France during the July Monarchy. The House of Orléans gained power after the 1830 revolution, which deposed the more conservative Bourbons. The artwork can be interpreted in the light of the constant pressure that was being put on the new 'liberal' king, Louis-Philippe. To truly understand this image, we'd need to delve into the history of the Orléans family and the complex political landscape of 19th-century France, using resources such as political cartoons, newspapers, and other visual materials. These can give us a better sense of its role within the culture of its time.