Dominicaner monnik presenteert een boek aan koning Karel VII 1729 - 1733

Dominique Sornique created this print titled 'Dominican Monk Presents a Book to King Charles VII' sometime in the mid-18th century. The print depicts a scene that evokes notions of power, religion, and knowledge during the reign of King Charles VII, who ruled France in the 15th century. Consider the cultural and political weight of this moment. The Dominican order was, and still is, a significant religious and intellectual force, often acting as advisors to rulers. The act of presenting a book was not a mere transaction, but a symbolic offering of wisdom and guidance to the King. Who had access to knowledge in the 1700's? To what degree was access shaped by gender or social standing? Sornique's print invites us to reflect on the historical intersections of religious authority, monarchy, and the politics of knowledge. It prompts us to consider the emotional weight carried by the presentation of a book, and its implications for the dynamics of power and influence.