Antoine Deriset, pl. III from "Recueil de caricatures" 1749 - 1759

Ange-Laurent de La Live de Jully created this print, Antoine Deriset, as part of a series of caricatures. It is a French work, and while it lacks a precise date, its creation aligns with a broader 18th-century fascination with physiognomy – the idea that one’s outer appearance reflects inner character. The image's meaning lies in its exaggeration of Deriset's features, which were not based on observation, and how those distortions were read by contemporary audiences. The artist, who was a connoisseur of art, may be commenting on the social structures of his time by poking fun at a prominent figure. To truly understand this caricature, historians delve into resources like period publications, letters, and social commentaries. These investigations can reveal how individuals like Deriset were perceived, as well as the values and biases that informed such perceptions. The meaning of art is contingent on social and institutional contexts.