Henri de Pussort 1675

This is Antoine Masson's portrait of Henri de Pussort, created with engraving techniques. Notice the oval frame, a shape that softens the depiction while still containing it. The oval has long been used to frame portraits, echoing classical cameos, but here, the inscription transforms the frame itself into a symbolic device. Henri’s name is inscribed, an almost medieval act of ennobling the sitter, reminiscent of the inscriptions around Byzantine icons that sanctified its subjects. Consider how this practice of inscribing portraits evolved. From royal effigies on coins to the labels on Renaissance paintings, names give power. Here, it suggests the enduring presence and authority of the sitter, and evokes a psychological connection that ensures his memory. This act of remembrance and enshrinement through art serves as a poignant reminder of our shared human desire to transcend mortality.