Portret van generaal Franciade Fleurus Duvivier 1848

Léopold Massard created this portrait of General Franciade Fleurus Duvivier using etching and engraving techniques in the 19th century. Duvivier, a prominent figure, is depicted in his military attire, complete with epaulettes and medals, signifying his status and achievements within the Belgian army. Massard's work exists within a larger tradition of portraiture that often served to solidify the status and legacy of its subjects. However, looking closer, we may ask ourselves what stories remain untold in this representation of power? What perspective would a portrait of a soldier from the lower ranks during the same period reveal? The meticulous detail and formality of the portrait speaks to the values of the time, yet it also invites us to consider the complexities and nuances of identity and representation. It encourages us to reflect on how we memorialize figures and which stories are deemed worthy of preservation.