Penning met het portret van Lodewijk XIV (kleine variant) 1700 - 1733

Editor: Here we have a print dating from the early 18th century, titled "Penning met het portret van Lodewijk XIV," or "Medal with the Portrait of Louis XIV," by Bernard Picart. It’s an engraving, quite small. I am immediately drawn to the image on the right of a snake coiled in a landscape and want to know… How do you interpret this work? Curator: This work really invites us to consider how rulers wanted to be perceived. Louis XIV, “Le Grand,” or “the Great,” saw to it that his image was widespread and carefully controlled. Consider the pairing of his regal portrait with the image of the landscape and snake. Do you recognize any familiar symbols? Editor: The sunburst, perhaps? It reminds me of the sun king imagery often associated with Louis XIV. Curator: Exactly! The sun, of course, but also consider the snake. The snake can signify many things depending on its context. Is this image of the snake a destructive force or a symbol of healing and renewal, such as the rod of Asclepius? Editor: Interesting. In this context, the landscape looks barren. With the text on the coin saying “A son aspect ie reprends la vie," or "At his aspect, I recover life," it seems he’s offering something restorative… So it would be more about renewal? Curator: Precisely. Louis is presented not just as a ruler, but a life-giving force, the light emerging after darkness, healing his nation. Visual propaganda like this cemented the image of his reign for posterity, building his personal mythology. How does understanding these visual elements change your initial impression? Editor: I definitely see now that it’s not just a portrait, but a very carefully constructed message about power and image, linking Louis to ideas of rebirth. I hadn't considered all of these loaded symbols at first glance! Curator: Indeed! It is a fascinating piece. Exploring how images like these were circulated then reframes our reading of historical symbolism.