Portret van Hugues-Bernard Maret

About this artwork

verzamelaarsmerk, verso, gestempeld: Lugt 2228a

Art Historical Context

### Portrait of Hugues-Bern Maret This intimate lithograph captures Hugues-Bernard M, a prominent French statesman and journalist who served as a close advisor to Napoleon Bonaparte, including as Minister of State during Hundred Days in 1815. Produced anonymously by the studio of *veuve Delpech (Naudet)*—likely the widow of lithographer François Séraphin Delpech—between 8 and 1842, it exemplifies the era's fascination with portraiture of revolutionary and imperial figures. At 254 × 175 mm, its modest size made it ideal for personal collections or albums, preserving Maret's legacy amid France's turbulent post-Napoleonic years. Lithography, the medium here, revolutionized printmaking in the early 19th century by allowing artists to draw directly on stone for nuanced, reproducible images. Delpech's workshop was renowned for such affordable yet detailed portraits, bridging fine art and popular dissemination. The subtle tones and precise lines evoke Maret's dignified presence, highlighting lithography's role in democratizing access to historical icons. A collector's mark on the verso (Lugt 2228a) stamps its provenance, suggesting it graced a discerning 19th- or early 20th-century collection. This piece invites us to reflect on how prints like this kept Napoleonic memory alive in drawing rooms across Europe.