Self-Portrait with Daguerreotype of Roman Forum

Jean-Gabriel Eynard made this daguerreotype self-portrait with the assistance of his valet, Jean Rion. At nearly seventy years of age, Eynard presented himself as a distinguished, proud character, his attenuated, crossed leg kicking across the frame in perfect, almost dancer-like form. Believing that pose revealed a sitter's personality, Eynard chose the gesture deliberately. On the table Eynard displayed a daguerreotype of the temples of Saturn and Divine Vespasian in the Roman forum, possibly one that he made. Although the complete title is illegible, the word CAPODISTRIAS is discernible on the large pamphlet placed on the chair beside him. Scholars have suggested that Eynard wrote the pamphlet in memory of his close friend Joannis Capodistrias, the martyred first President of Greece. Throughout his life, Eynard was devoted to the cause of Greek independence and perhaps included a reference here to indicate the cause's importance to him.