Anne-Robert-Jacques Turgot, Baron de l'Aulne (1727–1781) 1769 - 1781

This plaster roundel portrays Anne-Robert-Jacques Turgot, made by Comte d'Artois, later Charles X of France. The profile portrait, a motif dating back to ancient coins and cameos, immediately situates Turgot within a lineage of powerful figures. Consider how the profile, by its nature, presents a partial view. It conceals as much as it reveals, inviting us to fill in the blanks. This visual strategy speaks to the psychological weight of portraiture. It reminds us that our perception of individuals, especially those in positions of authority, is always mediated, partial, and constructed. Think, for instance, of Roman emperors whose profiles on coins not only declared their reign but also shaped their public image. Similarly, Turgot's representation here serves as a kind of symbolic shorthand. The cool, classical rendering intended to convey rationality, control, and leadership. This carefully constructed image is not just a likeness. It's an ideal, an aspiration, designed to resonate deeply within the collective psyche. It's a non-linear progression of symbols.