Portret van Lodewijk Filips I, koning van Frankrijk, in een landschap 1822

Edme Bovinet created this portrait of Louis-Philippe I, King of France using etching and engraving. Louis-Philippe, who reigned from 1830 to 1848, was a complicated figure, often referred to as the "Citizen King" because his rule represented a shift from aristocratic privilege to a more bourgeois-oriented monarchy. This portrait captures him standing in a landscape, holding a walking stick, embodying the image of a modern, accessible monarch. Yet, as we consider the historical context, we recognize the tension between this carefully constructed image and the realities of his reign, which ultimately failed to bridge the gap between the monarchy and the people. The landscape is a symbolic backdrop, perhaps alluding to his connection to the land and his subjects, but it also raises questions about power, representation, and the narratives we construct around our leaders. The portrait serves as a reminder of the ever-present dialogue between image and reality in shaping our understanding of identity and power.