Lodewijk XIV 1620 - 1664

Editor: So, here we have Stefano della Bella’s print, "Lodewijk XIV," made between 1620 and 1664. It's an ink drawing turned engraving, very detailed... It has an air of ceremony to it, maybe even a touch of anticipation given all that fine print beneath. What leaps out at you when you look at it? Curator: It's fascinating, isn’t it? To me, this image vibrates with the hope placed on a young ruler. Della Bella captures the baroque love for dynamism and spectacle; look at those prancing horses and elaborate carriage! But more than that, I sense the weight of expectation. Notice the inscription boasts of Louis's God-given nature and virtues, practically scripting his reign before it even unfolds. It’s less a portrait and more of a propaganda piece. Don’t you think? Editor: That’s an interesting take. I was focused on the visual elements, like the almost frantic linework. I hadn’t considered the inscription as actively shaping his image. Is that typical of art from this period? Curator: Absolutely! Images of monarchs were carefully orchestrated performances, designed to project power and legitimacy. It’s interesting to note how much is said, implied and hoped in those flourishes, in that line. It begs the question - who is crafting this image, and to what end? It serves to promote an ideal to the nation, a form of public speaking crafted into line, as it were. What lessons does an artist working today take from this I wonder. Editor: So it’s not just about recording history but actively building it? It’s making me see so many possibilities within this little print! Thanks for shining some light on that.