Portret van Henri Eugène-Philippe-Louis van Orléans, hertog van Aumale 1831

Antoine Maurin created this portrait of Henri Eugène-Philippe-Louis van Orléans, the Duke of Aumale, using lithography. The Duke's story is entwined with the power dynamics of 19th-century Europe, a time of shifting monarchies and colonial ambitions. As a member of the French royal family, his identity was shaped by his lineage. The portrait offers a glimpse into the construction of aristocratic identity, and perhaps even an idealised image of French nobility. We see a young man in military attire, embodying a sense of duty. His gaze, though somewhat soft, hints at the weight of his position. France's colonial ventures in Algeria significantly impacted the Duke's life and career, for which he was both celebrated and criticised. This portrait, therefore, exists within a complex web of power, privilege, and historical events. It invites us to reflect on how individual identities intersect with broader narratives of empire and national pride.