Fotoreproductie van Louis XIII et Mademoiselle de la Fayette 1870 - 1890

This is a photographic reproduction, by an anonymous artist, depicting Louis XIII and Mademoiselle de la Fayette. The image captures a tender moment between the King and his favorite, set within a romanticized, pastoral setting. The cultural significance here lies not just in the representation of historical figures, but in the visual codes of power and intimacy. Made in France, during a time of strict social hierarchies, this image provides a glimpse into the personal lives of the elite, humanizing them while also reinforcing their status. But how might we contextualize this? A social historian would delve into the records of the court, the memoirs, and the political writings of the time. The point is that the meaning of this reproduction becomes something contingent on the social and institutional context in which it was made.