Panthée 1647

This is an engraving called ‘Panthee’, made by Gilles Rousselet in France in the 17th century. It shows a scene of loyalty, possibly a queen or noblewoman, with a battle scene in the background. This image invites us to think about the status of women in early modern France. The figure of Panthea, known for her fidelity, embodied the virtue and honor that aristocratic women were expected to uphold. But let’s also remember the institutional structures of the time: the French court was a center of power and influence, where artistic patronage and cultural production were closely tied to political agendas. Engravings like this circulated within those circles, reinforcing the status of the elites, while sometimes subtly critiquing those same social norms. By looking at historical texts from the period – letters, treatises, and court documents – we can uncover the values and ideals that shaped Rousselet’s work.