Portret van Anselme Payen 1835 - 1851

This is Nicolas Maurin's lithographic "Portret van Anselme Payen." The portrait presents a study in contrasts. Notice the stark difference between the solid, grounded presence of Payen against the ethereal nothingness of the background. Maurin’s masterful use of light and shadow models Payen's face and form, drawing our eye to the minute details. The lithographic technique allows for incredibly fine lines, capturing texture and depth. The shading of the lithographic technique gives depth to the portrait, and the composition is carefully balanced, providing a sense of order and stability. The portrait captures something of Payen’s character, or perhaps, more accurately, it constructs a persona through carefully chosen visual cues. The formal qualities of the work—its play of light and shadow, its meticulous detail, and its balanced composition—all contribute to a representation that is not merely seen but also felt.