Portret van Philibert Rouvière before 1865

This is a portrait of Philibert Rouvière by Etienne Carjat. It is a reproduction in print, with a height of 129 mm and a width of 90 mm. Framed within the ornamental page of 'Paris-Theatre', the portrait is a study in contrasts. The oval vignette softens the stern gaze of Rouvière, whose features are meticulously etched. Carjat uses the limitations of the printed medium to his advantage, employing sharp lines to define form and shadow, lending a sculptural quality to Rouvière's face. The surrounding frame, teeming with cherubs and floral motifs, presents a theatrical contrast to the somber intensity of the portrait. The image reflects a play between the public persona and the private self. It invites us to consider how identity is constructed through both artistic representation and the performative aspects of public life.