Portret van Marc-Antoine d'Escalis 1724

Jacques Cundier created this portrait of Marc-Antoine d'Escalis using etching. As we look at this image, consider the power dynamics inherent in portraiture of this era. Cundier, likely commissioned by d'Escalis or his family, presents him as a figure of authority and nobility. The fur trim and stern gaze speak to d'Escalis's status as Baron De Bras, embedding notions of class and lineage. The etched lines meticulously construct not just a likeness, but a statement of identity rooted in societal rank. What’s particularly striking is the tension between the intimate details of d'Escalis's face – the lines around his eyes, the set of his mouth – and the formal, almost theatrical presentation of his status. It invites us to consider the layers of identity at play: the individual versus the persona constructed for public consumption. Through this portrait, Cundier offers not just an image of a man, but a glimpse into the social hierarchies that shaped the 17th-century world.