Portrait of Simon-Nicolas-Henri Linguet 1780

Augustin de Saint-Aubin created this print, "Portrait of Simon-Nicolas-Henri Linguet," using etching and engraving techniques. Linguet, an 18th-century lawyer and journalist, was known for his criticism of the Enlightenment and his defense of the Ancien Régime. This print reflects the complex cultural and political landscape of pre-revolutionary France. Linguet, portrayed here, challenged the dominant intellectual currents of his time, advocating for a more conservative social order. The allegorical figures surrounding Linguet represent the forces at play in his life and work. The tension between these figures—some lifting him up, others pulling him down—mirrors the controversies he faced. The image captures Linguet's complex identity as a figure both celebrated and reviled. Consider how Saint-Aubin uses these visual symbols to communicate Linguet's controversial role in society. The print invites us to reflect on the power of rhetoric, the complexities of historical judgment, and the price of dissent.