Hendrik IV, koning van Frankrijk opgebaard anno 1610 1816

Robert Dunkarton created this engraving, "Hendrik IV, king of France laid out in state anno 1610," sometime around 1744. This piece gives us insight into the public role of art in shaping historical memory. The image depicts King Henry IV of France, assassinated in 1610, laid out for public viewing. Dunkarton, working in England over a century later, recreates this moment, likely drawing on earlier depictions and accounts. Note the careful staging of the scene, from the heraldic symbols to the religious objects, and the King’s own regal attire. This isn't simply a record of a death; it's a carefully constructed image designed to project power and legitimacy. It speaks to the politics of imagery and how even in death, the monarchy sought to control its narrative. To understand this work better, we might look to period accounts of royal funerals and the role of spectacle in maintaining social order. The art historian looks to the social conditions that shape artistic production, considering how institutions and cultural values influence what and how artists create.