Portret van Lodewijk XV 1720 - 1738

Curator: This is Pierre Drevet's engraving, "Portret van Lodewijk XV," created sometime between 1720 and 1738. It offers a fascinating depiction of the French monarch as a young man. Editor: It has a decidedly somber air about it, wouldn't you agree? Despite the finery, the lace, the symbols of power... there’s a palpable lack of joy, a weight of expectation hanging heavy. Curator: Exactly. The oval frame itself is interesting—portraits enclosed in ovals date back centuries, connecting to ancient symbols of cycles, beginnings, and endings. Framing Louis XV this way gives the image an immediate historic and symbolic depth. It pulls him into an established iconography of leadership. Editor: And below the portrait, we see the prominent display of heraldry, complete with the fleur-de-lis. A deliberate emphasis on lineage and divine right. It's worth considering what this imagery was trying to communicate, especially considering the social inequalities of the time. A clear visual reinforcement of hierarchy. Curator: Absolutely. Symbols become even more important when a ruler is young. Notice also how his garments aren’t just ornamental; they represent tangible power, an attempt to cement legitimacy in the visual landscape. What better medium to amplify the image than an engraving? It would make for easy mass reproduction and broad dissemination of royal power. Editor: A controlled image released at a critical time, a perfect example of image as propaganda. Even in a portrait—or perhaps especially in a portrait—rulers constructed very specific narratives about their reign. In this engraving, there's an active creation of royal image through fashion, heraldry and skillful staging, which raises compelling questions about what it was that the artist wanted to say about the nature of royal authority and tradition. Curator: By observing these established symbols and how they've been preserved over centuries, one might comprehend how visual communication becomes ingrained into cultural memory. Drevet’s strategic deployment of established imagery, carefully constructing Louis' regal presence within the grand baroque aesthetic, showcases continuity, memory and power. Editor: An enduring illustration that images aren't passive reflections of reality, but are active participants in the construction and reinforcement of social orders. In a few details and deliberate symbols, the image works hard to maintain systems of inequality, class and authority.