The Marquis d'Ossun c. 1780

Jules César Denis Van Loo painted this portrait of the Marquis d'Ossun in the late 18th century. Note the symbols of status that surround him: the aristocratic wig, the velvet suit embroidered with silver thread, and the insignia of royal orders prominently displayed on his chest. Now, observe the bust in the background. In ancient Rome, portraits of ancestors, imagines maiorum, were paraded at funerals to invoke the family's history and legitimacy. Here, the bust and the books signal the Marquis's lineage and learning. Consider how the trappings of power have evolved. Once, Roman emperors were deified; now, the Marquis, while not divine, presents himself as part of an unbroken chain of authority and wisdom. This visual language—of statues, books, and finery—creates an emotional resonance, speaking to our collective memory of power and prestige. The portrait is not merely a likeness but an assertion of enduring values, values that, though transformed, still echo through the ages.