Malesherbes, Ludvig 16.'s forsvarer 1822 - 1885

Joel Ballin made this print of Malesherbes, Louis XVI’s defender, in the 19th century. His powdered wig and solemn expression carry deep historical weight. Consider the symbolic weight of the profile view: it is a classical form, reminiscent of ancient coins and busts that immortalized leaders and thinkers. This echoes through time, from Roman emperors to Enlightenment figures. Yet, here, it captures a man who defended a king, a symbol of a dying order. Note the emotional restraint in his face; there's a stoic resolve, a very human response to insurmountable odds. The somber mood, almost a premonition of doom, touches our subconscious. This cycle repeats—images of power challenged, defenders standing firm, history's pendulum swinging. The symbols of tragedy and nobility blend in Malesherbes's visage, proving how the past returns, reshaped but never truly gone.