Dagobert I 1620 - 1664

Stefano della Bella made this small etching of Dagobert I, a Merovingian king, sometime in the mid-17th century. The print presents Dagobert as a triumphant warrior, his armor gleaming as he rides a spirited horse. The image evokes the visual codes of power and authority embraced by European monarchies. Made in France, it reflects the cultural reverence for the French monarchy and the perception of its divine right to rule. Note that Louis XIV reigned during the artist's lifetime and the etching could be seen as conservative, reinforcing the power of the monarchy. To fully understand the cultural significance of this work, a historian would want to know about the circulation of prints in 17th century France, and the status of French royalty. The meaning of this image is contingent on these social and institutional contexts, revealing the complex politics of imagery in early modern Europe.