Portrait of Louis Robert 1873

Félix Bracquemond created this print of Louis Robert, administrator of the national manufacturer of porcelain in France, using etching and drypoint. During the 19th century, portraiture was primarily in the domain of painting, but this etching demonstrates how printmakers like Bracquemond could also use the medium to represent people of note. The image offers a glimpse into the world of French arts administration at a time when the French state actively managed the production of luxury goods. Robert’s formal attire and confident pose speak to his social standing, and the print itself, as a multiple, could circulate his image among a wider audience. To understand the full implications of this image, we might investigate the archives of the Sèvres porcelain manufactory, exploring its role within the French state and its engagement with the art world. The social life of art can tell us much about the culture of its time.