Portret van Lodewijk XIV in een lijst 1793 - 1848

This is François Jacques Dequevauviller’s print of Louis XIV, made sometime between 1783 and 1848. During this period, France experienced radical shifts, including revolution, empire, and restoration, all of which deeply affected its social and artistic landscapes. Here, Louis XIV, the Sun King, is presented in a decorative frame, embodying the opulence and absolute power that defined his reign. Yet, looking at this image through a post-revolutionary lens raises questions about the enduring appeal and critique of monarchy. The elaborate wig and ermine robes speak volumes about the construction of royal identity and the performance of power. How do we reconcile the visual splendor with the social inequities of the time? The image invites us to reflect on the complexities of French history, questioning the narratives of power and the lived experiences of those excluded from it.