Portrait of Alphonse de Lamartine – 19th Century Lithograph by Le Gout-Gérard
This finely executed 19th-century lithograph features the eminent French poet, politician, and historian Alphonse de Lamartine (1790–1869). He is seated gracefully in an ornate armchair, resting his head thoughtfully against his hand in a pose that suggests both contemplation and intellect. Beside him lies a table with open volumes bearing the titles "Histoire des Girondins" and "L'Homme", referencing two of his most celebrated works.
Drawn by Le Gout-Gérard and lithographed with great delicacy, the print was published by Goupil, Vibert & Cie in Paris, with international distribution in London (by Ernest Gambart & Co., 25 Berners Street) and New York (by Goupil, Vibert & Co., Broadway). This global reach reflects Lamartine's literary fame and public stature at the time. The print is labeled as number 1 in the series and likely dates from circa 1850 to 1855, when Lamartine was both a public figure and widely read author.
Alphonse de Lamartine was a leading figure of French Romanticism and a passionate advocate for humanitarian ideals. A representative of the people during the Second Republic, he was also a gifted orator and historian. His literary output included lyrical poetry, philosophical reflections, and historical works, most notably his Histoire des Girondins (1847), which influenced the revolutionary spirit of the time. His thoughtful gaze and restrained posture in this portrait reflect both his poetic sensibility and political seriousness.
The lithographic technique, widely used in the 19th century for portraiture, allows for precise rendering of textures, from the upholstery of the chair to the folds of Lamartine's frock coat. The minimal background draws full attention to the subject’s pose and expression.
Condition report: The print is in very good condition. The image is crisp and clean, with strong detail and tonal variation. The wide margins show only slight age-related foxing and a few handling marks. The sheet is untrimmed and remains in excellent overall presentation state.
Framing suggestions: For best display, pair this portrait with a classic dark wood or ebonized frame. A soft ivory or neutral-colored mat will provide contrast and elegance without distracting from the image. Use UV-protective glass to safeguard the fine lines and prevent fading. This lithograph would be a meaningful addition to any collection of literary figures, French political history, or 19th-century Romanticism.
Bartele Gallery. Original antique maps, sea charts, engravings and works on paper. This is a plain text rendering of a page that is otherwise built in the browser. The catalogue index is at https://www.bartele.net/catalogue and machine readable notes are at https://www.bartele.net/llms.txt.