Portret van André Marie Constant Duméril 1843

Nicolas Maurin created this lithograph portrait of André Marie Constant Duméril at an unknown date. The meticulous details of Duméril's attire, from his neatly tied bow to the lapel pin on his coat, speak to the values of order and status that defined the era. Consider the evolution of portraiture through time. How does this image echo ancient Roman portrait busts intended to immortalize the subject's virtue and accomplishments? Yet, how does it diverge? Here, the softness of the lithographic medium softens the edges of the sitter. It lacks the hard, imposing lines of marble sculpture, suggesting a shift towards a more humanistic, even psychological portrayal. This more recent approach reveals an interest in capturing not just physical likeness, but the inner character of the individual. It resonates with our collective memory, reminding us of the continuous human desire to understand and preserve our identities.