Portret van Charles de Montesquieu 1826 - 1829

This is Desmarets’ portrait of Charles de Montesquieu, framed by symbols that speak volumes about his legacy. Notice the laurel wreaths, emblems of triumph and immortality since ancient Greece, bordering vignettes that depict philosophy, science, and the arts. These motifs place Montesquieu within a lineage of intellectual giants, invoking a sense of timeless wisdom. Look at the central ornament at the top with the snake biting its own tail. This ouroboros is a potent symbol found across cultures, representing cyclicality, self-reflexivity, and the eternal return. Consider how this ancient symbol connects to Montesquieu's work on the separation of powers, a concept that perpetually renews and balances itself within a state. The image taps into our collective memory, stirring subconscious associations with knowledge, renewal, and the ongoing quest for balance in human affairs. Thus, this portrait is not merely a likeness but an invocation of enduring ideals. The ouroboros reminds us that ideas, like civilizations, are in constant flux, and that true wisdom lies in recognizing these cycles.