Portret van Louis Auguste de Bourbon, hertog van Maine 1642 - 1694

This engraving portrays Louis Auguste de Bourbon, the Duke of Maine, and was made by Nicolas de Larmessin I. The texture of the engraving is dominated by the intricate lines and cross-hatching that define form and create tonal variations. The composition places the Duke within an oval frame, softened by a ribbon, contrasting the softness of the ribbon with the rigid formality of the portrait. This juxtaposition is crucial. The Duke’s armor speaks to a traditional representation of power, but the lace collar and elaborate curls introduce an element of artificiality. This tension reveals a destabilization of established meanings of power, hinting at the complexities and performances inherent in aristocratic representation. Through the careful arrangement of form and texture, this engraving invites ongoing interpretation, reflecting how cultural values and individual identity are perpetually negotiated and redefined.