Portret van Pierre Ozanne 1823

This is Joseph Coiny's portrait of Pierre Ozanne, made with etching. Here, Ozanne is presented in profile, a visual language deeply rooted in antiquity, evoking the Roman emperors' busts. This pose does more than just depict; it elevates, conferring nobility and timelessness upon the subject. The profile, in its stoic simplicity, invites contemplation. Think of ancient coins or Renaissance medals – the profile flattens the individual, turning him into an emblem, an idea. The powdered wig, meticulously rendered, places him firmly in the 18th century, yet the profile transcends its era. It echoes through the ages, a constant visual motif. Such visual representation taps into our collective memory. The profile demands respect, admiration, perhaps even a touch of awe. It is more than a likeness; it is an attempt at immortality, a silent dialogue across centuries. The viewer, then, does not merely observe but engages with history, participating in the ongoing construction of memory and meaning.