Portret van Olivier Métra before 1877

Ferdinand Mulnier produced this print of Olivier Métra in France. Though undated, it likely coincides with the height of Métra’s fame as a composer of light music in the late 19th century. The Paris-Theatre publication was not just a collection of images; it functioned as a social document, reflecting the cultural values and power structures of its time. This image participates in the 19th-century cult of celebrity, where musicians, artists, and performers were elevated to near-mythical status. Métra’s stylish attire and the elaborate framing of his portrait speak to his elevated social position. The visual codes of the publication, such as the cherubs and classical motifs, evoke a sense of tradition and artistic legitimacy, reinforcing the cultural establishment's values. By examining publications like these, historians gain valuable insight into the social conditions, institutional frameworks, and power dynamics that shaped artistic production and reception in 19th-century France.