Portret van Lodewijk van Frankrijk 1771

Nicolas Gabriel Dupuis made this engraving, *Portret van Lodewijk van Frankrijk*, some time in the 18th century. The print depicts Louis, son of King Louis XV, framed in an oval, above which is a decorative flourish. The visual codes here signify power. The ornate frame, the luxurious fabrics of Louis’ clothes, and the title, ‘Dauphin,’ meaning heir to the throne, all point to the centrality of the monarchy in 18th century France. Consider how visual culture functioned in a society defined by rigid social hierarchies. The Bourbon monarchy invested heavily in images like this to project an image of majesty. As art historians, we can investigate this phenomenon by looking at the archives of royal institutions. What was the official view of the monarchy? What was the popular view? This print may tell us as much about the institution of monarchy itself as the man it depicts.