Portret van de acteur Fontenay als Karel IX van Frankrijk after 1832

This is a print of the actor Fontenay as Charles IX of France. Here, we see the convergence of theatre, politics, and image-making in 19th-century France. Charles IX, a controversial historical figure, is presented through the lens of Fontenay’s performance. The choice of depicting Fontenay in costume invites us to consider the role of actors in shaping public perceptions of historical figures. The print uses visual codes of royalty, such as elaborate costumes and regal posture, but also caricature, especially in the actor's emphasized facial expression. Prints like these, distributed widely, played a role in constructing collective memory and political identity. Understanding the cultural context and institutional history of theatre in France and its relationship to political discourse helps us to unpack the complex layers of meaning embedded in this image. To understand this work better, we might look at theatre reviews of the period, prints and other popular imagery portraying historical figures, and other accounts of political life at the time. Only then will we start to see the extent to which the meaning of art is contingent on its social and institutional context.