Portret van de filosoof Charles de Rémusat before 1861

This is Auguste Bry’s portrait of Charles de Rémusat made with lithography. The portrait captures Rémusat with his arms crossed, a pose that exudes confidence and intellectual prowess. But what does it mean to perform intellect? Rémusat was not just any intellectual; he was a philosopher and a prominent figure in French politics during a time of immense social and political change. His writings and political actions were shaped by the intellectual movements of his time. Bry’s work gives us access to the projection of identity in 19th century France, and the creation of a persona through carefully constructed portraiture. What we see is not just a face but the embodiment of a carefully constructed identity, reflecting the values and aspirations of a particular class and era. This image prompts us to consider how identity is both performed and perceived and how historical context influences the creation and reception of such portrayals.