Michel Foucault 1775

This 1775 plaster relief by Jean-Baptiste Nini depicts Michel Foucault, a prominent figure in 18th-century French society. The portrait, housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, presents Foucault in a profile view, capturing his likeness with meticulous detail. The inscription surrounding the image identifies the subject and adds to the historical significance of the piece. Nini, a renowned sculptor known for his portraiture, utilized the classical tradition of low relief in this work, highlighting the subject's features and emphasizing the artistry of the sculptor.