Portret van Charlemagne de Maupas 1849 - 1852

Here we see Alphonse Farcy's portrait of Charlemagne de Maupas, meticulously rendered as a lithograph. Consider the context: Maupas was a figure of authority in mid-19th century France, a period of political upheaval and social change. As Prefect of Police during the Second Empire, Maupas was instrumental in the 1851 coup d'état that brought Louis-Napoléon Bonaparte to power. This portrait, therefore, is not just an image of a man, but a statement of power and authority. Notice how Maupas is depicted: his confident gaze, the elaborate details of his uniform, and the medals adorning his chest all speak to his status and influence. Yet, there's also a certain vulnerability in his expression, a hint of the human being beneath the trappings of power. Farcy’s composition sits within traditional portraiture, but hints at the complexities beneath a powerful man. Reflect on the fact that this image captures a man who was both a symbol of order and an agent of political repression. What does it mean to memorialize such a figure through art? What narratives are we preserving, and whose stories are left untold?