Portret van de archeoloog Louis-Charles-François Petit-Radel 1820

Julien-Léopold Boilly rendered this portrait of Louis-Charles-François Petit-Radel in printmaking, during an era of significant cultural and political change in France. Petit-Radel's involvement with the Institut Royal de France places him within a network of intellectuals during the post-revolutionary period. The portrait provides insight into the values and status of men within French society. Petit-Radel, Chevalier de la Légion d'honneur, is depicted with an air of respectability and intellectual prowess. His gaze directed slightly upward, hinting at the enlightenment values of reason and progress that defined the era. His expression suggests a certain introspection. By portraying Petit-Radel, Boilly immortalized a figure central to the preservation and interpretation of cultural heritage. The artwork thus becomes not just a likeness but a statement about the importance of historical knowledge. It invites us to reflect on how societal values are represented through portraiture.