Maréchal Leroy De Saint Arnaud 1854

This full-length portrait by Charles-Philippe Lariviere depicts Maréchal Leroy De Saint Arnaud and presents a fascinating window into the visual culture of 19th-century France. Paintings like this served as powerful tools for constructing and reinforcing social hierarchies. The Maréchal’s elaborate uniform laden with medals, his confident pose, and the map all speak to his authority and status within the Second Empire. The symbols of power are plain to see. What might be less obvious is the role played by institutions like the French military in shaping this image. Further research into the history of the French military, its relationship to the state, and the social function of portraiture can help us to better understand the values and beliefs that underpinned this society and how this painting participates in it.