Portret van Jacques-Laure Le Tonnelier de Breteuil 1752

This is a portrait of Jacques-Laure Le Tonnelier de Breteuil, etched by Claude Henri Watelet. Framed within a simple oval and topped with a bow, the portrait echoes classical medallions, yet it also introduces a softer, more intimate tone reflective of its time. Consider the profile view. This artistic convention dates back to ancient coins and cameos, originally intended to convey power and authority. Over time, however, the profile became a popular choice for portraying intellectuals and artists, emphasizing their refined features and contemplative nature. The bow at the top, seemingly innocent, bears a striking resemblance to the laurel wreaths of antiquity, repurposed to denote intellectual rather than military triumph. The choice of symbols reveals a fascinating dialogue between past and present, where classical motifs are reimagined in a new cultural context. Such appropriations suggest the persistence of collective memory, a subconscious desire to link the present with the perceived grandeur of antiquity.