Henry IV, King of France c. 17th century

Curator: This is Thomas de Leu's engraving of Henry IV, King of France. Editor: My initial thought is that the tight, circular frame creates a sense of intense focus on Henry's face and the symbols of his regality. Curator: Indeed. Note the careful detail in rendering the crown and the Order of the Holy Spirit, emblems heavy with meaning, communicating power and divine right. Editor: And the technique itself, the sharp lines, feels so precise, almost clinical, as if striving for an objective record of his features and status. It's quite different from other, more painterly portraits. Curator: Yet, even within those lines, we see the seeds of the king's image as the restorer of France. It shows him not just as a king but as a symbol of national unity. Editor: Yes, I now see how the composition, despite its severity, speaks to a very carefully constructed and enduring cultural memory.