Portret van Jean-Baptiste Cyrus de Timbrune de Thiembronne, graaf van Valence c. 1818

Charles Aimé Forestier created this portrait of Jean-Baptiste Cyrus de Timbrune de Thiembronne, graaf van Valence, using a printmaking technique. The image is defined by delicate lines etched onto the plate's surface, where ink was then applied to capture the Count of Valence's likeness. Look closely at the uniform. Notice the intricate details of the embroidery and decorations. The precision here speaks to the engraver's skill but also to the era's social values. Printmaking allowed for the wider circulation of images, playing a crucial role in shaping public perception and solidifying social hierarchies. This portrait reflects the labor involved not only in the artistry of engraving but also in the representation of power and status during the late 18th and early 19th centuries. Understanding its material and context invites us to think about the boundaries between art, craft, and the broader currents of social and political life.