Portret van de Franse generaal Pierre Marie Barthélemy Ferino 1806

Ludwig Gottlieb Portman created this portrait of the French General Pierre Marie Barthélemy Ferino using etching and engraving. This print invites us to consider the visual construction of power and identity during a period of revolution and shifting social structures. Ferino, an Italian born, French general, is depicted within an oval frame. Portman’s choice of printmaking, a medium often associated with accessibility and dissemination, suggests an effort to propagate an image of leadership aligned with revolutionary ideals. The general's composed gaze hints at the psychological dimensions of leadership, as the artist captures a sense of determination but also vulnerability. Ultimately, this portrait prompts us to reflect on the relationship between individual identity, political representation, and the broader narratives of revolution and empire.