Antieke buste van Isocrates 1677

Etienne Baudet created this engraving of an ancient bust of Isocrates. The orator’s likeness, perched on a pedestal, embodies the classical ideal. His features, framed by a beard and curly hair, are a clear nod to ancient Greek portraiture. The draped garment evokes the statuary of antiquity, reminding us of the enduring influence of classical thought. Think of the Roman senators, the philosophers, all immortalized in marble. This way of representing authority has resurfaced time and again in Western art, from the Renaissance rediscovery of classical forms to Neoclassical portraiture. The bust is not merely a physical likeness, but an embodiment of the virtues associated with the subject: wisdom, eloquence, and civic duty. Such portraits tap into our collective memory, engaging viewers on a deep, subconscious level. The portrait is a symbol, its meanings evolving and layering across centuries.