Frans I 1620 - 1664

This engraving of Frans I, crafted by Stefano della Bella, presents us with an enduring symbol of power: the equestrian figure. Here, the king sits astride a horse, a motif that dates back to antiquity, signifying control, nobility, and martial strength. Consider the Marcus Aurelius statue in Rome, where the emperor, similarly mounted, embodies imperial authority. This motif transcends time, appearing throughout the Renaissance and Baroque periods, each time adapted to reflect contemporary ideals of leadership. The raised foreleg of the horse, a dynamic gesture, speaks to a readiness for action, yet it also contains a certain tension. It is an emotional and psychological representation of the leader's burden, forever poised between peace and war, a visual echo resonating through the corridors of history. These symbols are not static, but living entities, constantly reshaped by collective memory.