Portret van François-Xavier-Marc-Antoine de Montesquiou-Fézensac 1815 - 1817

Jacques Noël Marie Frémy created this print of François-Xavier-Marc-Antoine de Montesquiou-Fézensac in France. It's a drawing of a man in profile, whose identity is given in elegant script. This image operates in the realm of social portraiture; it is important to ask, what is the role of imagery like this? In the French society in which this was made, portraiture served a function in solidifying social status. Note the word "Abbé" included in the inscription: this man was a member of the clergy, and would have played a prominent role in French society. When considering this print, historical resources are invaluable. Research into French social structures can reveal the nuances of class and the ways in which the church played a key role in reinforcing those structures. It reminds us that any artwork is contingent on social and institutional histories.