Portret van Ferdinand-Philippe d'Orléans 1813 - 1847

Michel Mourot made this print of Ferdinand-Philippe d'Orléans. It's difficult to date, but we can see it as an object made to express power and status during a period of massive social change in Europe. In the early to mid-19th century, portraits like these were a way for the elites to reassert their authority, after the challenge posed by the French Revolution. Note the emphasis on his military uniform and aristocratic insignia. These were visual codes that reminded the viewer of the established social hierarchy. France was still a monarchy when this image was made, so the print served to reinforce the legitimacy and grandeur of the ruling class. Historians use resources like letters, newspapers, and official records to understand the relationship between art and society. Analyzing images like these helps us understand how art played a role in shaping social attitudes. The meaning of this artwork is closely tied to its historical and institutional context.