Portret van François de Bonne van Lesdiguières 1684 - 1743

This is a print of François de Bonne, Duke of Lesdiguières, made by Jan Lamsvelt, a Dutch printmaker, in the late 17th or early 18th century. The portrait presents the Duke in an oval frame, adorned with armor and the insignia of his high office, Constable of France. The image's power lies in its visual codes of nobility and authority. Consider how the sharp lines and formal pose project an image of strength and dignity. This was a period of intense social stratification, with portraits playing a key role in reinforcing the power of the aristocracy. Lamsvelt, working in the Dutch Republic, a society that had largely rejected hereditary rule, was catering to a market that still valued these images of power. To understand this print, we need to look into the history of the French aristocracy and its relationship with the rest of Europe. Sources such as genealogical records, historical accounts of the French court, and studies of print culture in the Dutch Republic can provide invaluable insights. Only then can we truly grasp the social function of this image and its place in the history of art.