This is a portrait of Louis-René Levassor de Latouche Tréville, made with etching by Paul Tassaert. The etching communicates a very particular idea of French aristocracy. The symbols of Latouche Tréville’s aristocratic status are emphasized through visual codes, such as his powdered wig, his ornate military jacket, and the way his body is positioned to convey a sense of authority. France was marked by rigid social hierarchies and immense disparities in wealth and influence. Latouche Tréville, as an aristocrat, enjoyed privileges and power that were largely inaccessible to the common people. As historians, we can use resources, such as genealogical records, historical accounts, and studies of French aristocratic culture, to better understand the role of Latouche Tréville in the broader social and political context of his time. The meaning of this portrait is shaped by its historical context and the social and institutional forces that influenced its creation and reception.