Portret van Bon Adrien Jeannot de Moncey 1842

This is Louis Ghémar's portrait of Bon Adrien Jeannot de Moncey, an engraving with delicate lines and a focus on detail. The portrait presents a study in contrasts. Note the subject's gaze directed to the left, creating a sense of forward momentum, countered by the static, symmetrical framing of his attire. The subject is adorned with decorative embellishments that create a visual tension between personal identity and public role. Consider the semiotic implications of Ghémar's choice to render the figure in this way. The subject is neatly framed within an inscription, inviting us to consider the broader discourse surrounding power and representation in 19th-century portraiture. It raises questions about the relationship between the individual and the structures of authority. Ultimately, the success of this portrait lies in Ghémar's ability to negotiate the complex interplay between individual expression, social context, and the formal constraints of the medium. It serves not only as a record of an individual likeness but also as an invitation to question the very nature of identity and representation itself.