Portretbuste van Lodewijk I van Orléans 1818 - 1848

Jacopo Bernardi made this portrait bust of Lodewijk I van Orléans with graphite. The drawing is dominated by the bust itself, rendered with delicate and precise lines that capture the smooth texture of what appears to be marble or plaster. The subject, likely a royal figure given the crown, is presented in a formal, idealized manner. Bernardi’s use of line work and shading creates depth and volume, giving the bust a three-dimensional quality, despite the flatness of the paper. The composition is structured to draw the eye upwards, from the base of the bust to the crowned head, emphasizing the subject's noble status. However, the lightness of the graphite and the unfinished quality of the surrounding space destabilize the traditional sense of permanence often associated with portraiture, hinting at the transient nature of power and representation. This piece challenges fixed meanings and engages with new ways of thinking about representation.