Portret van Mathieu Molé
in of na 1818 - in of voor 1842
Medium
lithography
Dimensions
176; 268
Rights
Public Domain
About this artwork
collector's mark: Lugt 2228a
Art Historical Context
**Portret van Mathieu Mol** Step into the refined world of early 19th-century portrait with *Portret van Mathieu Mol*, an anonymous lithography produced by veuve Delpe (Naudet) sometime between 1818 and1842. Measuring a compact 268 mm high by 176 mm wide, this intimate print captures the essence of subject through the innovative medium of lithography—a technique that revolutionized image reproduction shortly after its invention in 1798. By drawing directly on stone with greasy crayon, artists achieved subtle tones and fine details, making portraits like this accessible beyond elite oil paintings. Veuve Delpech (Naudet), likely the widow of a noted French printer, represents the collaborative spirit of Parisian print workshops during the Restoration and July Monarchy eras. This period saw lithography flourish for disseminating likenesses of statesmen, intellectuals, and cultural figures, bridging art and public life. The work's precise execution highlights the medium's artistic potential for nuanced shading and texture. Adorned with the collector's mark Lugt 2228a, this piece traces its provenance to a distinguished European collection, underscoring its enduring appeal to connoisseurs. A testament to lithography's golden age, it invites us to ponder the faces shaping history.