Portret van Pierre-Louis Dubus de Preville 1767

This is a print of Pierre-Louis Dubus de Preville, Comedien François, created by Jean-Baptiste Michel, sometime around the late 18th century. The composition is striking for its elaborate framing. The central oval portrait is surrounded by floral garlands and theatrical masks, set against a backdrop that mimics wood grain. This immediately establishes a play between the real and the represented. Michel's meticulous engraving technique creates a dense network of lines, giving texture and depth to the image. Note how the framing is not merely decorative; it actively interprets Dubus de Preville's identity as a comedian, setting him within a constructed theatrical space. The theatrical masks, positioned above the portrait, suggest the multiplicity of roles that Dubus de Preville embodied on stage. These masks are not merely symbolic; they destabilize any singular understanding of identity. We are not just seeing a portrait of a man, but an exploration of performance and representation itself. It invites ongoing speculation about the relationship between the person and persona.