Lord Byron 1825

Rembrandt Peale made this engraving of Lord Byron at an unknown date. It connects to the wider social and cultural context of the Romantic era, a time when individual genius and emotion were highly valued. The image constructs meaning by using visual codes of contemplation and intellect. We can assume that this print was made in the 19th century, a period marked by a growing interest in celebrity culture. Byron, as a famous poet, would have been an appealing subject for a portrait. The print suggests the Romantic notion of the artist as a brooding, solitary figure, as is also visible in the institutional histories of art. It may also reflect a self-conscious critique of more traditional, academic styles of portraiture. As historians, we might consult letters, diaries, and other documents to understand the relationship between artist and sitter, as well as the public's reception of Byron's work. This helps us understand art as something contingent on social context.