Portret van Gabriel de Riqueti Marquis de Mirabeau 1775 - 1827

Friedrich Dürfeldt created this print of Gabriel de Riqueti Marquis de Mirabeau. The Marquis was a leading figure in the early stages of the French Revolution, a period defined by social upheaval and the questioning of traditional hierarchies. His involvement reflects the complex intersections of class and politics during that time. Mirabeau, born into nobility, became a voice for the Third Estate, challenging the privileges of his own class. This portrait of Mirabeau captures the physical presence of a man who was both admired and reviled. His distinctive profile, framed by the powdered wig, speaks to the visual language of power in 18th-century France, while his political actions sought to dismantle that very system. It is said that "He knew how to conjure political storms, but was unable to direct them." In considering this work, we might reflect on how individuals navigate their identities amidst historical change, and how their actions resonate across social divides.