Portret Louis Victor de Rochechouart de Mortemart, hertog van Vivonne 1830 - 1856

This lithograph of Louis Victor de Rochechouart de Mortemart, the Duke of Vivonne, was created by Antoine Maurin. The figure emerges from a light background, his armor and voluminous wig rendered with meticulous detail. The composition is simple, focusing on the sitter's persona. The artist has used delicate hatching and shading, to create a sense of volume, while the restrained palette enhances the subject's noble stature. This portrait’s formal construction, with its emphasis on the Duke’s confident gaze, creates a representation of power and authority. Maurin’s formal choices invite us to consider the signs of nobility and how they were constructed and conveyed through the visual language of portraiture. Consider how the artist balanced the textures of fabric, metal, and hair. The portrait captures not just a likeness, but also the visual codes of social standing in the 19th century.