President de Thou c. 17th century

Editor: This is Jacques Lubin's "President de Thou," a portrait etching. I find the sitter's expression quite intense, almost confrontational. What do you make of this image, and its historical context? Curator: It's fascinating how portraits like this visually construct power and status in 17th-century France. The elaborate ruff, the somber colors... how might this imagery reinforce existing social hierarchies? What does it tell us about the President's identity and role? Editor: It's interesting to think about how clothing and symbols communicated power. I hadn't considered how constructed that image really is. Curator: Exactly! And what about the absence of women in these visual narratives of power? Whose stories are being left out, and how does that affect our understanding of the period? Editor: That's a really important point. I'll definitely look at these portraits differently now. Curator: It’s crucial to think critically about these representations and to keep pushing the boundaries of traditional art historical narratives.