Achtentwintig Franse koningen en koninginnen 1851 - 1873

This print, "Twenty-eight Kings and Queens of France," offers a glimpse into how French royalty was perceived and presented to the public. Created by an anonymous artist, this piece invites us to consider the intertwined notions of power, identity, and representation. Each figure is rendered with attention to detail, emphasizing the clothing, jewels, and symbols of authority associated with the French monarchy. The artist highlights the performative aspect of royalty, where identity is constructed through outward displays of wealth and status. But what stories are left untold by this approach? Consider how gender roles are reinforced through the images. The kings embody a masculine ideal of strength and leadership while the queens are portrayed as symbols of beauty and grace. In its visual narrative, the print celebrates the monarchy, but it also subtly reveals the social and cultural values that shaped perceptions of power and identity in France.