Portret van Jules-Joseph Godefroid 1838

Charles Baugniet created this print of Jules-Joseph Godefroid at an unknown date. As a lithographer, Baugniet was working within a medium that democratized art. The portrait captures Godefroid, likely a composer or musician, in a confident pose beside a table with sheet music. His stance, with one hand tucked into his jacket and the other on his hip, exudes a sense of self-assuredness. Yet, this carefully constructed image tells us much about the performance of masculinity in the 19th century. Consider how Godefroid’s identity as a musician intersects with his social standing. During this period, artistic professions were gaining recognition. While the print celebrates the individual, it also reinforces certain societal norms. It invites us to think about how identity, class, and artistic expression intertwine. It’s a reminder that portraits are never just simple likenesses; they are complex representations of self and society.