Penning met het portret van Karel X van Frankrijk 1720

Bernard Picart created this print of a medal with the portrait of Charles X of France. It features two circular forms connected by a horizontal line, each meticulously detailed with inscriptions and regal symbols. The linear precision and monochromatic palette invite a formal reading, drawing us into the semiotic richness of its design. Observe how Picart employs line and form to negotiate power and representation. On the left, the profile of Charles X is framed by Latin text, while on the right, a crown is similarly encircled. These arrangements construct a visual language of authority, where the crown and portrait function as signs of sovereignty. The print’s stark contrast and meticulous lines serve not merely to depict, but to monumentalize. By isolating these symbols and structuring them within a circular framework, Picart creates a visual echo that reinforces their symbolic weight. This print invites us to consider how form and structure work together to communicate complex ideas about power, legitimacy, and representation.