Portret van minister Jules Bastide

About this artwork

collector's mark: Lugt 2228

Art Historical Context

**Portret van minister Jules Bastide** is a compelling chalk lithograph by French artist Marie Alexandre Alophe, produced in 1848. Measuring 484 mm by 338 mm, this portrait depicts Jules Bastide, a key political figure who served as France's Minister of Foreign Affairs during the birth of the Second Republic. Alophe, known for his skillful lithographic portraits, captures Bastide's dignified presence with fine detail, reflecting the era's demand for accessible imagery of leaders. The artwork emerges from a revolutionary moment: 1848 saw the February Revolution topple King Louis-Philippe, sparking widespread European uprisings and France's brief republican experiment. Bastide's role in the provisional government made him a symbol of this turbulent transition, and Alophe's print likely served to disseminate his image amid political fervor. Chalk lithography, Alophe's chosen medium, allowed for soft, expressive lines and tonal gradations akin to drawing, revolutionizing affordable printmaking in the 19th century. The presence of the collector's mark Lugt 2228 highlights its esteemed provenance, linking it to a prestigious European collection and affirming its enduring cultural significance.

About the Artist

Marie Alexandre Alophe · 1812–1883

Comment on works: lithographer; painter; photographer