Portret van Charles Maurice de Talleyrand-Périgord 1831 - 1841

This is a portrait of Charles Maurice de Talleyrand-Périgord by Vittore Pedretti. The lithograph print employs hatching and cross-hatching to create a range of light and shadow. The neutral palette further emphasizes form, texture, and intricate detailing in the composition. The subject's posture with legs crossed, and the angle of the chair, introduce diagonals that animate the composition within a rigid structure. The subject's gaze meets ours directly, and he is framed by elements associated with intellect and governance. These create a visual language that invites reflection on power, diplomacy, and social identity. The print prompts us to consider how representational strategies, like the control of line and tone, were used to convey ideas about status and character in the 19th century. It remains an open invitation to interpret how such formal choices reflect the cultural values and social hierarchies of its time.