Portret van Pierre Corneille 1643

Michel Lasne created this print of Pierre Corneille in 1647. Corneille, a towering figure in French classical tragedy, is captured here as an emblem of 17th-century intellectual life, a period marked by rigid social structures and the rise of powerful voices within the arts. Consider how Corneille's plays grappled with themes of duty, honor, and moral conflict, reflecting the tensions of a society where individual desires often clashed with societal expectations. This portrait, with its formal composition and emphasis on the sitter’s gaze, speaks to the power and status afforded to men of letters during this era. The print invites us to reflect on the role of artists and intellectuals in shaping cultural values and challenging the status quo. Think about the ways in which Corneille's works, and portraits such as this one, contributed to the construction of a national identity and a shared cultural heritage.