Portret van Adolphe Thiers 1834

Bernard Romain Julien created this print of Adolphe Thiers in France, sometime in the mid-19th century. As Minister of the Interior in 1834, Thiers was a major figure in the July Monarchy. He was later President, and eventually became the first President of the Third Republic. This portrait creates meaning through its visual codes. It is an image made during a time of upheaval, amidst the rise of the newspaper and inexpensive print media. Lithography was extremely popular for portraiture, as it was cheaper and quicker than painting, and could be widely disseminated. It helped turn politicians into celebrities. The role of the historian is to place this image within its social and institutional context. We can consult archives and period publications to understand its place in the visual culture of the time. We can interpret this print as a product of its unique historical moment.