Portret van Jules de Polignac

About this artwork

verzamelaarsmerk, verso, gestempeld: Lugt 2228a

Art Historical Context

### Portrait of Jules de Polignac This striking lithograph, titled *Portret van Jules de Polignac*, captures the likeness of Prince Jules de Polignac (1780–1847), a prominent French statesman and diplomat during the Bourbon Restoration. Produced anonymously but printed by Veuve Delpech (Naudet)—the widow of the renowned Parisian lithographer François Séraphin Delpech—the work dates from around or after 1818 to around or before 1842. Measuring 278 mm high by 181 mm wide, it exemplifies early 19th-century portraiture, likely intended for collectors and admirers of political figures. Lithography, a revolutionary printing technique invented in the late 18th century, allowed for detailed, affordable reproductions of portraits like this one. Delpech's studio was a hub for such works in Paris, producing images of nobility and leaders that circulated widely amid France's turbulent politics. Polignac, who served as Prime Minister under Charles X in 1829–1830, became infamous for issuing the July Ordinances that sparked the 1830 Revolution, toppling the monarchy. This portrait reflects the era's fascination with power and personality. Bearing a collector's mark (Lugt 2228a) stamped on the verso, the print hints at its prized status among connoisseurs. It offers a window into Restoration-era France, blending artistry with historical drama.