Portret van Jean Le Rond d'Alembert 1802 - 1807

Augustin de Saint-Aubin etched this portrait of Jean Le Rond d’Alembert, capturing the philosopher in profile. Encased in an oval frame, d'Alembert is presented almost like a classical bust. The oval has long served as a symbol of intellect and exclusivity, reminiscent of ancient Roman portraiture, a means of immortalizing figures of great importance. Think of Roman emperors whose likenesses, framed in ovals on coins, declared their power. This motif surfaces repeatedly through history. Consider how Renaissance artists revived classical forms, placing their patrons within similar oval frames, a direct nod to Roman authority and intellectualism. It reappears in the Enlightenment, aligning figures like d’Alembert with a lineage of thinkers. The profile view, too, echoes ancient cameos and coins. It’s a deliberate choice, focusing on d’Alembert's sharp features, his gaze fixed—suggesting not just observation but penetrating insight. These visual symbols have a non-linear progression, resurfacing and evolving, constantly layering new meanings onto old forms in different historical contexts.