Portret van Charles Lagrange 1849

Alphonse Farcy created this portrait of Charles Lagrange using lithography, a process that democratized image-making in the 19th century. This period saw the rise of the bourgeoisie, a class increasingly eager to see themselves represented in art. Lagrange, with his carefully groomed beard and fashionable attire, embodies the image of the successful middle-class man. His gaze, directed slightly upwards, suggests ambition and perhaps a touch of romantic idealism, qualities valued in the era following the French Revolution. The portrait captures not just Lagrange's likeness but also his aspirations. Consider the act of commissioning and displaying such a portrait. It was a declaration of status, a way of participating in the visual culture of the time. Farcy's work thus intersects with questions of identity and social mobility. It offers a glimpse into the desires and self-perceptions of a rising class as it navigated a rapidly changing world. It serves as a reminder of how art can both reflect and shape the narratives of its time.