Abbot Jean Jacques Huber 

Maurice Quentin de La Tour captured Abbot Jean Jacques Huber with pastels, immortalizing the ecclesiastic in an intimate light. The luxurious fur draped around Huber’s shoulders and the dark, round hat are symbols of status and intellect, yet the slight smile breaks from the stern formality typical of clerical portraiture. Consider, for example, the ‘Ecstasy of Saint Teresa’ by Bernini, a work in which the subject is overwhelmed with religious rapture. Similarly, in La Tour’s portrait, the abbot’s expression evokes a similar, albeit more restrained, state. The gentle smile of Abbot Jean echoes through the ages, harking back to ancient statues of serene philosophers and forward to the enigmatic smiles of the Renaissance. It is this visual echo that binds us, threading human expression across the centuries. As you gaze upon this portrait, consider how these echoes resonate within you, drawing you into the complex, ever-evolving narrative of human culture.