Portret van Henri Dewandre before 1862

This portrait of Henri Dewandre was made by Walter Damry, though the exact date is unknown. The small size and the fact that it is bound in a book suggest that this portrait functioned as a frontispiece, a visual introduction to the man it depicts. In nineteenth-century Belgium, scientific and literary societies like the Société d'Émulation held significant cultural authority. They served as important sites for the production and circulation of knowledge. This portrait of Dewandre, the president of one such society in Liège, reflects the institutional structures that shaped intellectual life at the time. As a public figure, Dewandre’s likeness would have embodied the values of the institution he led, suggesting the importance of civic engagement and intellectual pursuit. Understanding this image requires us to examine the social and institutional contexts in which it was produced and consumed. By consulting archival sources, such as the Société d'Émulation's publications, we can gain a deeper appreciation for the public role of art and the politics of imagery in nineteenth-century Belgium.