Portret van Honoré Théodore Maxime Gazan 1815 - 1817

This is Jacques Noël Marie Frémy's portrait of Honoré Théodore Maxime Gazan. Notice how the artist uses delicate lines to construct the portrait, focusing on the detail of the subject’s face, hair and military garb. The composition is strikingly simple, with the Count’s bust presented against a plain backdrop. This lack of background detail directs our gaze intensely on the count himself. Frémy skillfully employs line variations to suggest depth and texture. Look closely at the intricate rendering of Gazan’s uniform; the fine lines create an almost palpable sense of texture. The use of hatching and cross-hatching adds shadow and dimension, giving form to the figure. The strategic use of light and shadow, achieved through these linear techniques, models Gazan’s features, conveying a sense of gravitas. While seemingly straightforward, the portrait complicates the relationship between representation and reality, inviting viewers to consider the underlying codes of status, identity and power.