Portret van Édouard Mortier 1830 - 1853

This is Antoine Maurin's portrait of Édouard Mortier. Consider the portrait’s historical and social context. It reflects the time of the French Restoration, when society was seeking to rebuild itself after the Napoleonic Wars. Mortier, a marshal and peer of France, embodies the period's emphasis on military prowess. The portrait depicts Mortier with careful detail, the artist capturing the weight and authority of his subject. Mortier’s gaze is steady and his posture is straight, exuding a sense of command. Maurin used lithography, a relatively new technique at the time, which allowed for more accessible reproductions. Consider how this accessibility democratized art, making portraits like this available to a broader audience. The image celebrates the status of men in power and their role in shaping society. The fine detail and delicate shading speak to a longing for the past, for stability and order, even as new technologies were changing the world.