Charles Louis August Fouquet, Duke of Belle-Isle 1743

Editor: This is Johann Georg Wille’s portrait of Charles Louis August Fouquet, Duke of Belle-Isle. The detail is incredible! There’s so much going on, from the battle scene in the background to the Duke's armor. What do you see in this piece? Curator: Notice how the artist positions the Duke—not just as an individual, but as a symbol of power and prestige? The armor evokes strength, but the flowing wig and delicate lace point to a courtly refinement. The battle isn't merely a backdrop. What narrative threads do you think Wille is weaving? Editor: Perhaps it's about showing both the strength and sophistication of the aristocracy at the time? It is certainly interesting to see how the portrait blends the two. Curator: Exactly. It's about legacy, lineage, and the cultural memory of power represented through the image. These symbols, these visual cues, tell a story far beyond the Duke himself. Editor: I never thought of it that way before. Thanks!