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Secondary sourcePainting1829

Simón Bolívar Lithograph Portrait

Francisque Noël · 1829

An 1829 lithograph showing Bolívar in military uniform, presented as a copy of an original portrait, reflecting European interest in his image.

This lithograph is a European-made copy portrait of Bolívar, showing his fame during his final years.

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Lithographic portrait print of Simón Bolívar in a military uniform with epaulettes and a medal on a cord, head turned slightly, on cream paper. Title below reads 'Simon Bolivar' with Spanish caption about a copy of an original portrait.
Francisque Noël (lith. C. Charles, Noël), Simon Bolivar, 1829. Sainte-Geneviève Library.

About this source

What it is

This is an 1829 lithographic print titled 'Simon Bolivar', made by Francisque Noël and lithographed by C. Charles. It shows Bolívar in military dress with epaulettes and a medal, and is described as a copy of an original portrait. It is held today by the Sainte-Geneviève Library.

Why it matters

The print shows how, even in his final years, Bolívar's image was in demand across Europe, with artists and publishers reproducing 'authentic' likenesses of him for an eager public. It reveals how his fame as the 'Liberator' had spread far beyond South America.

Look closer

  • Why might a European printmaker want to copy an 'original' portrait rather than create a new one?
  • What does the uniform and medal suggest about how Bolívar wanted to be remembered?
  • What is left out of a formal portrait like this?

This painting is part of the curated material that grounds the AI version of Simón Bolívar on Humy.ai — when students ask about related events, the AI can quote it and cite it.

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