Portret van Jacques Coitier 1755 - 1765

Jean-Charles François created this print of Jacques Coitier, a doctor and president of the Chamber of Accounts, in the 18th century. During this time, portraiture was not just about capturing likeness; it was deeply embedded in social and political power structures. Here, Coitier is framed within an oval, surrounded by symbolic foliage, indicating status and intellect. His fur-lined garments speak to his affluence and standing within the court of Louis XI. But what does it mean to memorialize a man whose power was so closely tied to the monarchy? This was a society where identity and profession were inherited and ascribed. François's work thus becomes a document of this hierarchy. The gaze of Coitier feels both intense and distant, inviting contemplation on the roles we play and the legacies we leave behind. It prompts us to consider how representation can both reflect and reinforce societal norms.