Portret van Honoré Gabriel de Riqueti, graaf van Mirabeau 1841 - 1910

This is Léopold Flameng’s finely wrought portrait of Honoré Gabriel de Riqueti, graaf van Mirabeau. It is rendered with etching on paper. The composition is a study in contrasts, placing the robust, expressive face of Mirabeau against a muted background. The formal elements here serve to construct the character of the subject. Note how the precise, almost scientific lines used in the face give way to looser, more expressive strokes in the clothing, lending a sense of vitality. The contrast between the detailed facial features and the suggestive rendering of the coat evokes the duality of Enlightenment ideals, caught between reason and romanticism. The textures and contrasts destabilize traditional portraiture, creating a modern interpretation, where the subject is not merely represented but actively constructed through the interplay of technique and form. The artwork challenges fixed meanings, allowing for ongoing interpretation and re-interpretation.