Riviergod 1628 - 1682

Jean Le Pautre created this print called ‘River God’ in the 17th Century, a period defined by the rigid social hierarchies of the French aristocracy. Le Pautre’s rendering of a male figure evokes the classical ideal of beauty and power, yet it does so within the social and cultural constraints of his time. The sensuality in this representation of the male body, whilst seemingly celebrating the human form, simultaneously reinforced the period’s views on masculinity and dominance. This positioned men, especially those of the upper class, as figures of authority and control. Look closer, and you might also observe an underlying sense of vulnerability in the River God’s posture. This complicates his role as a symbol of dominion. Perhaps this was a subtle critique by Le Pautre, revealing the cracks in the facade of power during a time of emerging social and political tensions. The print thus becomes an invitation to reflect on the complexities of identity, challenging us to consider the stories behind the surface of historical representation.