Portret van Abraham Duquesne 1835

Antoine Maurin made this print of Abraham Duquesne in France in the early 19th century. It offers insight into the social and political functions of portraiture during the Restoration period. Duquesne, a 17th-century French naval officer, is depicted here with all the visual codes of wealth and status, including a powdered wig, elaborate lace cuffs, and a decorative military jacket. The image revives the memory of the Ancien Régime, but it also promotes a specific political agenda, the restoration of the Bourbon monarchy. The print flatters its patrons by associating them with the glory days of the French navy. The Rijksmuseum’s collection of prints and drawings offers valuable resources for understanding this work better. By exploring the history of printmaking, the biography of Antoine Maurin, and the political context of the Restoration, we can better appreciate the social forces that shaped this image.