Jean-Baptiste Colbert c. 17th century

Editor: This is Robert Nanteuil’s portrait of Jean-Baptiste Colbert. It feels like a very formal depiction. What can you tell me about this piece? Curator: Consider Colbert's role as Louis XIV's finance minister. Nanteuil's portrait isn't just a likeness; it's a carefully constructed image of power. The elaborate frame, the subtle signs of wealth, all contribute to a specific narrative. How might this image have functioned politically at the time? Editor: So, it's not just about aesthetics, but about projecting power and solidifying Colbert’s position? That makes you wonder about the other stories it might be telling, or hiding. Curator: Exactly! And who gets to tell those stories? Whose perspectives are privileged, and whose are marginalized?