Portret van marine-officier Claude de Forbin 1835 - 1851

This is Antoine Maurin's undated portrait of marine-officer Claude de Forbin, meticulously rendered through lithography. Consider the historical context of 19th-century France, where the echoes of revolution and empire still resonated. Maurin, born in this era, captured the visage of a man from a bygone era, perhaps reflecting a longing for the certainties of the old regime. The artwork embodies the rigid class structure and gendered expectations of the time, presenting de Forbin in his official capacity, adorned in the symbols of his authority. The wig and formal attire speak volumes about identity construction and societal roles. The lithographic technique itself, with its capacity for mass production, mirrors the shifting dynamics of artistic creation and consumption during the industrial age. But look closely; does Maurin’s rendering of de Forbin celebrate or critique the values he represents? Ultimately, this portrait serves as a lens through which we can examine the complex interplay of power, identity, and memory in 19th-century France. It’s a testament to the enduring power of art to provoke questions about who we are and where we come from.