Oude aristocraat bekijkt het schilderij van een kunstenaar 1840

Nicolas Toussaint Charlet made this print of an aristocrat viewing an artist’s painting in 19th century France. Here we see a clash of worlds: the artist, in his smock and cap, standing next to the aristocrat, who is leaning forward with his hand to his brow. In France at this time, artists were struggling to break free from the rigid structures of the Academy, an institution that dictated what was considered good art. The Academy favored historical and mythological scenes, and it upheld conservative social values. This print can be understood as a caricature of the art world and its patrons, and the social codes that defined it. The aristocrat, struggling to understand the art, perhaps represents the old order. The presence of a Black servant is also important to note. Slavery had been abolished in France in 1794, but was reinstated by Napoleon in 1802. The figure reminds us of the social inequalities that persisted despite the supposed ideals of the Revolution. To fully understand this image, we need to look at the history of French art institutions and their relationship to social class and politics. By studying the prints and caricatures of the time, alongside archival documents, we can gain a deeper understanding of the complex social dynamics that shaped artistic production.