Portret van Jean Pitard c. 1744

Charles Dupuis produced this print of Jean Pitard, though the precise date remains unknown. Dupuis’s print serves as a form of institutional memory, preserving the likeness of Pitard, a notable figure in the history of medicine. The visual codes of the print, such as the formal pose and inscribed pedestal, elevate Pitard's status, associating him with the learned and powerful. Understanding the cultural significance of figures like Pitard requires us to delve into the history of medicine and its institutions. Pitard was the first surgeon of Charles VI, a role that placed him at the intersection of medical knowledge and royal power. His life and work reflect the social structures of his time, where medical expertise was increasingly valued, yet firmly rooted in the patronage of the monarchy. Art historians use resources, such as archival records and biographical studies, to understand the institutional context in which images like this one were produced and consumed. The meaning of this print is contingent on understanding its role in constructing and preserving the memory of a figure central to the history of French medicine.