Lodewijk VIII 1620 - 1664

This small etching of Lodewijk VIII, crafted by Stefano della Bella, presents us with a figure cloaked in majesty, his back turned, yet radiating authority through the sheer weight of his robes. The scepter he holds, though understated, speaks of power and dominion. Consider the motif of the ruler's back— a deliberate choice, suggesting not avoidance, but rather an introspective gaze towards the future of his realm. This posture echoes in countless royal portraits across Europe, each a variation on the theme of leadership and responsibility. Think of the Roman emperors, often depicted in profile, their faces stoic masks of power, or even the Byzantine mosaics, where emperors gaze outward, symbols of divine authority. The weight of his office is represented in the cloak, a common reference in classical and later iconography that shows that burden of leadership and responsibility for a nation is a heavy one. This image resonates with the collective memory of governance, of the psychological burden carried by those in power, a burden that transcends time and culture. It is an interesting representation of the constant shifting of power and the role of the leader in society.