Portret van Pierre Riel de Beurnonville

About this artwork

collector's mark: Lugt 2228a

Art Historical Context

Welcome to our virtual gallery, where we spotlight *Portret van Pierre R de Beurnonville a striking lithographic portrait created anonymously by veuve Delpech (Naudet) sometime between 1818 and1842. Measuring a modest 281 mm by 181 mm, this captures the likeness of Pierre Riel deurnonville, a French general and diplomat who rose through the ranks during the Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars, later serving as Minister of War. Produced in the post-Napoleonic era, it the era's fascination with military heroes amid France's turbulent restoration period. Lithography, the medium here, revolutionized printmaking in the early 19th century. Invented just two decades earlier, it allowed artists to draw directly on stone with greasy crayon, yielding nuanced tones and fine details more affordably than traditional engraving—ideal for disseminating portraits of notable figures to a wider audience. Veuve Delpech (Naudet), likely a Parisian print publisher continuing her husband's legacy, specialized in such reproductions, making elite subjects accessible. Bearing the collector's mark Lugt 2228a, this piece boasts distinguished provenance, linking it to esteemed 19th-century connoisseurs. It offers a window into how lithography democratized portraiture, preserving Beurnonville's legacy for history enthusiasts today.