Portret van Pierre-Paul Riquet 1802 - 1898

Auguste Thomas Marie Blanchard created this portrait of Pierre-Paul Riquet through engraving, capturing the essence of a man who dared to reshape the very landscape. Notice the elaborate lace collar. Once a symbol of wealth and status, a sartorial echo of aristocracy that dates back centuries, yet, here, it speaks of more than mere opulence. Think of the ruffs and collars in Flemish portraits of the merchant class, symbols of civic pride transformed into the attire of engineers and visionaries. The collar and the flowing wig, while rooted in tradition, are reimagined as emblems of intellectual prowess. Consider how such symbols resonate across epochs, a powerful force engaging viewers on a subconscious level. The motifs, like channels themselves, resurface, evolve, and take on new meanings in different historical contexts.