After Durupt, Portrait of Gunnlaugur Briem, Icelandic Student in Reykjavik, 1842, Print

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Antique Portrait of Gunnlaugur Briem – Icelandic Student in Reykjavik, 1842 This lithographic portrait shows Gunnlaugur Briem, identified as an … Read more Antique Portrait of Gunnlaugur Briem – Icelandic Student in Reykjavik, 1842 This lithographic portrait shows Gunnlaugur Briem, identified as an “Islandais de Reykjavik” – an Icelander from Reykjavik. His youthful face, direct gaze, and neat formal attire represent the emerging generation of educated Icelanders during the 19th century. Briem is depicted in half-length, with a high-collared shirt and jacket, his features carefully shaded to convey both seriousness and vitality. The print was published as Plate 2 in *Voyage en Islande et au Groenland* (Paris, 1842), the illustrated account of Paul Gaimard’s 1835 expedition. While the official mission of the voyage was to locate the missing French Arctic expedition of Jean de Blosseville, it became instead a landmark in the scientific and cultural exploration of Iceland and Greenland. Alongside natural history and landscapes, Gaimard’s work included portraits of Icelandic figures, presenting a vivid human dimension to his account. This particular lithograph was drawn by Maurin after a study by Durupt and published through the prestigious atelier of Lemercier in Paris. The careful tonal gradations and refined technique reflect the high quality of French lithography in the 1840s. Such portraits, rare outside the complete volumes of Gaimard’s expedition, offer a glimpse into the individuals shaping Iceland’s intellectual and cultural identity under Danish rule. Collectors value these plates not only for their artistic finesse but also for their documentary importance in the history of Iceland and Arctic studies. They form part of one of the richest French travel publications of the 19th century, combining ethnography, geography, and portraiture. Condition report: Good impression with strong contrasts. Sheet with full margins, showing light toning and scattered foxing consistent with age. Image area remains clean and well defined. Plate mark visible. Framing tips: A black or walnut frame paired with a cream or soft ivory mat will enhance the clarity of the sitter’s features and the lithograph’s subtle shading. For a more historic feel, a gilt frame can be chosen to reflect the portrait’s 19th-century origins. Technique: Lithograph Maker: Maurin after Durupt, printed by Lemercier – from Paul Gaimard, Paris, 1842 See less