Portret van Anne Claude Philippe de Caylus before 1761

Gottlieb Leberecht Crusius created this print of Anne Claude Philippe de Caylus, in the 18th century. Caylus, seen in profile, is framed by an oval, a shape that speaks to a long tradition of portraiture dating back to antiquity. The profile, popularized by Roman emperors on coins, suggests a conscious connection to the power and authority of the past. We see this echoed in Renaissance portrait medals and even later in Neoclassical cameos. Each era employs the profile to evoke a sense of timelessness. Consider the psychological implications of choosing a profile. It presents a controlled, unemotional view, concealing the gaze and inviting the viewer to project their own interpretations. Perhaps it’s a means of idealizing the sitter, simplifying the complexities of the individual into an emblem of status and intellect. This motif appears throughout history, evolving in form but retaining its fundamental ability to communicate power and enduring legacy.