Portret van Bon Boullogne 1756

This is Jacques Nicolas Tardieu's portrait of Bon Boullogne. This print captures Boullogne, a painter and professor, during a time when the French monarchy heavily influenced the arts. Notice how the artist is depicted with the tools of his trade, palette and brushes in hand. The portrait behind him shows angelic figures, likely a reference to his artistic style and training. Boullongne's role as "Peintre Ordinaire du Roi" suggests a system where artistic expression was closely tied to royal patronage and power. The symbols on the cartouche emphasize the role of heraldry and lineage in defining status and identity. Consider how the imagery and text work together to construct a narrative of artistic and social standing. The image prompts us to think about how identities were shaped by the institutions of the time.