Portret van Lodewijk XIV, koning van Frankrijk 1670 - 1713

Pieter Schenk created this engraving of Louis XIV, King of France in the late 17th or early 18th century. This portrait presents Louis XIV as an absolute monarch, embodying divine right, and his reign marked a period of great cultural and political transformation in France. This image is more than a representation of power; it reflects the intricate dance between identity, representation, and authority of a ruler. Notice the armor, embellished with the fleur-de-lis, a symbol of French royalty. The elaborate wig and ornate jabot, or lace collar, exemplify the performative aspects of kingship. Louis XIV famously said, "L'état, c'est moi" – "I am the state," encapsulating the era's understanding of leadership. How does this image, with all its symbolism, reflect and shape perceptions of leadership and national identity?