Title Page: Le Code Louis XIV 1667

This etching by Claude Mellan, created in 1667, depicts Louis XIV seated on a throne and holding a book titled "Code Louis XIV." The king holds a scale in his left hand, symbolizing justice and law, while his right hand rests upon the book, emphasizing the importance of his legal code. A lion, a symbol of royalty and strength, sits beside the king. The intricate detail and skillful use of hatching technique are characteristic of Mellan's work. The engraving is a powerful representation of Louis XIV's authority and the legal system he established during his reign.