Portret van Lodewijk XIV 1716

This is Bernard Picart’s portrait of Louis XIV, made using etching. The image captures the French monarch, known as the Sun King, a figure synonymous with absolute power and divine right. Notice the luxurious wig, the ermine robes, and the elaborate fleur-de-lis, all symbols carefully chosen to project an image of invincibility and authority. Louis XIV was a master of image and propaganda, understanding that art could be a powerful tool to shape his public persona. He centralized the arts, dictating the style and themes that artists should follow, all to glorify his reign. But consider this image in relation to those who were excluded from such displays of power. The lives of ordinary French people, the burden of taxation, and the religious persecution of Protestants, all went unrepresented in these carefully crafted images of royal splendor. The portrait presents an interesting perspective on the power of representation. It prompts us to consider whose stories are told and whose are omitted in the construction of historical narratives.