Promotieprent van Ludovicus Nicolaus le Tellier en Ludovicus Franciscus le Tellier 1684

This print by Jean-Baptiste de Poilly probably dates from around the turn of the 18th century in France. It depicts Louis Nicholas and Louis Francis Le Tellier in an allegorical scene of military conquest. The image creates meaning through an elaborate system of visual and cultural codes. Angels hover above the figures, implying divine approval. The armor worn by the Le Telliers alludes to classical antiquity, associating them with the glory of ancient empires. Meanwhile, defeated figures and looted treasure evoke France's military dominance under Louis XIV. However, this kind of imagery also reflects a deep institutional history, as the Le Tellier family were powerful figures in the French military bureaucracy. The print serves as propaganda, promoting their achievements. It embodies the self-consciously conservative values of the French court. To understand this print fully, historians delve into primary sources like letters and official documents. Through careful contextual research, we can understand how art reflects the social and institutional forces of its time.