Antique Portrait of Ólafur Pálsson – Icelandic Student from Skaftafell, 1842
This portrait represents Ólafur Pálsson, identified in the inscription as an “étudiant islandais, né à Áss, dans le district de Skaftafell” – an Icelandic student born at Áss in the Skaftafell district. He is shown in formal attire, gazing directly at the viewer with a serious and thoughtful expression, embodying the determined spirit of young Icelanders pursuing higher education during the 19th century. His inclusion among the Icelandic portraits in Paul Gaimard’s work illustrates both the intellectual aspirations of Iceland’s youth and their recognition in a wider European context.
The lithograph was published as Plate 6 in Voyage en Islande et au Groenland (Paris, 1842), a monumental account of the 1835 French expedition led by naturalist and naval surgeon Paul Gaimard (1793–1858). Though the voyage was originally intended to search for the missing expedition of Jean de Blosseville, it became a comprehensive survey of Iceland and Greenland, documenting landscapes, ethnography, natural history, and prominent Icelandic figures.
This plate was drawn by the artist D. Girard and lithographed by Lemercier in Paris, one of the foremost lithographic studios of the century. The composition reflects the refinement of French portrait lithography, with subtle gradations of shading giving depth and presence to the sitter. Such works combined scientific documentation with artistry, capturing the faces of individuals who represented Iceland’s cultural and scholarly future.
Plates from Gaimard’s Voyage en Islande et au Groenland are highly collectible, valued not only for their artistic quality but also for their role in illustrating the social and intellectual life of Iceland during the early 19th century.
Condition report: Strong impression with good tonal range. Wide margins with moderate foxing, especially noticeable in the outer areas, but not intruding upon the image itself. Paper retains full strength. Plate mark visible.
Framing tips: A black or dark walnut frame paired with a soft ivory or pale grey mat will enhance the crisp contrasts of the lithograph. A gilt inner line can provide additional elegance and highlight the sitter’s prominence.
Technique: Lithograph Maker: Drawn by D. Girard, lithographed by Lemercier – from Paul Gaimard, Paris, 1842
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