Print of a Portrait Medal of Fortunée-Marie d'Est, Princesse de Conti 1781

Editor: Here we have Augustin de Saint-Aubin’s 1781 engraving, “Print of a Portrait Medal of Fortunée-Marie d'Est, Princesse de Conti.” It reminds me of Roman coinage. The detail in the hair is pretty incredible. What do you see in this portrait? Curator: I see a fascinating intersection of power, gender, and representation during the late 18th century. Consider this “medal portrait” within the context of the French Revolution brewing just a few years later. While it adopts Neoclassical ideals, evoking notions of Roman virtue, the Princess de Conti represents an elite class on the cusp of upheaval. How does this tension impact your viewing of the artwork? Editor: That’s interesting. So the seemingly simple portrait of a noblewoman is more charged because of what was happening historically? Curator: Exactly. It's crucial to remember that representation, especially of women, was deeply coded. The Princess’s elaborate hairstyle and clothing signify her social status but also a level of artificiality and performance expected of women in that period. Can we view her position critically, recognizing the privileges afforded to her while acknowledging the restrictions imposed on her gender and class? Editor: I hadn’t thought about it that way. It shows how even something decorative reflects inequality and…preservation of the status quo, almost. Curator: Precisely. Artworks like this become powerful documents when we interrogate their role in reinforcing or challenging prevailing social structures. Editor: This makes me see portraits very differently now! Thanks! Curator: My pleasure! Thinking about art as a site of historical and social dialogue allows us to unlock its deeper meanings.