Portret van Adolphe Thiers 1877

This is an anonymous portrait of Adolphe Thiers. The small photograph captures Thiers, who served as the first president of the French Third Republic, standing resolutely in formal attire. The image evokes the complexities of 19th-century French identity and power. Thiers was a controversial figure, whose policies and actions stirred passionate responses. This image exists in a wider context of French political turmoil. The portrait captures a man who had immense influence in shaping the nation's identity and direction, yet remained a figure of both admiration and animosity. In stark contrast, a woman is seen peering from the doorway behind him. She's an enigmatic presence, perhaps suggesting the gendered dimensions of power during this period. The photograph invites us to reflect on the nature of leadership and the personal stories that are often eclipsed by the grand narratives of history.