Souvenir with portrait of a man, said to be Lieutenant d'Alézac 1780 - 1781

Jean-Pierre Mendouze made this souvenir box with portrait miniature, likely in France during the late 18th century, a time of great social change. The box serves as a personal memento, but also speaks to the role of portraiture in defining social status. The image presents the sitter as a member of the military, signified by his uniform and powdered wig. His serene expression and elegant attire reflect the values of the French aristocracy, a class that was increasingly out of touch with the social realities of the time. The term 'souvenir' emblazoned on the box suggests a longing for connection and remembrance, and we must ask, what social and cultural conditions make such remembrance so important? To fully understand this artwork, we need to look into the material culture of 18th-century France. Auction catalogs, fashion plates, and military records can all help us better understand the social significance of this intimate object. By examining the social life of art, we recognize that its meaning is always bound to a specific time, place, and set of social relations.