Lodewijk IX 1620 - 1664

Editor: Here we have Stefano della Bella's engraving, "Lodewijk IX," created sometime between 1620 and 1664. The figure in the foreground really stands out, seemingly floating above ships in the background. What do you see in this piece, especially regarding its historical or cultural context? Curator: What strikes me immediately is how this idealized portrait, with its regal bearing and halo, operates within a complex system of power and representation. Consider the moment in which this print was made: the glorification of European monarchs often coincided with, and even justified, colonial expansion and religious crusades. Editor: That's a fascinating point. The text below the image mentions voyages and a place called Damiette. Does that connect to the crusades you mentioned? Curator: Precisely! Louis IX, also known as Saint Louis, led two crusades. This image presents him as a pious and valiant ruler, almost certainly to create a political image that links him to religious authority, thus strengthening his own power and legacy. It asks us to consider the intersection of religious devotion, political ambition, and historical memory. Editor: So, the image isn’t necessarily a straightforward historical document, but a carefully constructed portrayal for political purposes? Curator: Absolutely. This print also begs the question, who was this image made for, and what purpose did it serve within the society of its time? It encourages us to deconstruct the narratives around power. How do you think this piece fits into larger debates about cultural memory? Editor: I hadn’t thought about it that way, considering it in relation to power and historical narratives... That offers such a different lens through which to understand it! Curator: Exactly! Hopefully it provided insight into engaging with historical representations.