Kardinal André Hercule de Fleury 1667 - 1741

Jakob Christof Le Blon created this print of Kardinal André Hercule de Fleury, sometime in the first half of the 18th century. At the time, France was a deeply religious society, so the visual codes and cultural references of Catholicism were immediately legible. The Cardinal’s clerical collar marks him out as a man of the church, with the high office and social power that came with it. The image subtly enforces this power, reminding the viewer of the Cardinal’s place in the social hierarchy. Le Blon would have relied upon the support of institutions, as well as wealthy individuals. Prints like this one, produced in multiple, made images accessible to a much wider audience than painting. These images played a crucial role in shaping public opinion, spreading ideas, and solidifying the power of the church. To fully understand a work of art, we need to look beyond the surface. By researching the social, political, and economic context in which it was made, we can begin to understand its true meaning.