Charles Gravier, Count of Vergennes 1780

Charles Clément Bervic created this print of Charles Gravier, Count of Vergennes, using engraving techniques. It embodies the visual language of power and status in late 18th-century France. Consider the subject's attire; the powdered wig and ornate jacket were markers of aristocratic identity. The oval frame and inscription further reinforce Vergennes's importance as a statesman. France was on the cusp of revolution at this time, but this image presents a world of order and hierarchy. The engraving itself speaks to the institutional structures of art production. Bervic was a member of the Académie Royale, which promoted a specific style and set of values. Understanding this artistic and political context helps us interpret the image not just as a portrait, but as a statement about the social order. To fully understand this work, one might consult period publications, letters, and archival records. The meaning of art is always contingent on its social and institutional context.