Judge M.C. Sloss 

This is Max Pollak’s print of Judge M.C. Sloss. Note the judge's calm and collected composure, it resonates through a long lineage of portraiture intended to convey power and authority. From ancient Roman busts to Renaissance state portraits, the goal has remained consistent: to project an image of unwavering strength and intellect. In the judge's face, we find echoes of the Roman "veristic" portraits. The subtle, almost imperceptible, smile is particularly fascinating. This faint upturning of the lips shares qualities with the archaic smile found in early Greek sculpture, which was initially interpreted as an attempt to represent a lifelike quality. However, it’s now understood to signify something deeper – a sense of serenity or transcendental calm. The cyclical progression of this symbol, from the ancient world to modern portraiture, demonstrates how human expression and cultural values resurface, evolve, and take on new meanings in different historical contexts. The past is always with us, shaping our present perceptions in ways we often fail to recognize.