Portret van Pepijn de Korte, koning der Franken 1825 - 1842

Nicolas Maurin made this print of Pepin the Short, King of the Franks, sometime in the first half of the 19th century. This was a period of intense national self-reflection in Europe. Maurin's image taps into a deep well of historical and cultural memory. The print participates in the 19th century's fascination with the medieval period, a moment seen as foundational to European identity. Pepin, who ruled in the 8th century, is presented as a noble and powerful figure, essential to the story of France. We see him in profile wearing a laurel wreath and royal robes; his gaze is authoritative. Yet, representation is always a tricky thing, especially when it comes to power. What does it mean to look back and selectively reimagine historical figures? How do these images shape our understanding of who we are and where we come from? Maurin's portrait invites us to consider the stories we tell ourselves about our past and the values we choose to celebrate.