Portret van Frans I van Valois-Angoulême, koning van Frankrijk 1642 - 1678

This is Nicolas de Larmessin’s portrait of Francis I, King of France, rendered in engraving. Observe how the oval composition, framing the king, immediately commands attention. The intricate lines create texture and depth, particularly in Francis’s beard and feathered hat, lending a tangible quality to the royal figure. Notice how the oval shape in the upper half of the image contrasts with the square base in the lower half. This division creates a tension, a formal rupture that destabilizes the traditional stoicism of portraiture. Semiotically, the armor and royal insignia are signs of power and authority, yet Larmessin's detailed engraving adds a layer of complexity, questioning the very notion of fixed representation. Is this image a celebration or a subtle critique of monarchical power? The formal quality of line work and the tension it creates are not mere aesthetic choices, but rather, function as part of a broader cultural discourse on power, representation, and the gaze. The portrait invites us to question the nature of symbols.