Portret van Lodewijk XVI, koning van Frankrijk 1785 - 1786

This is a portrait of Louis XVI, King of France, made by Benoît Louis Henriquez. It’s a print, likely an etching or engraving – a process that involves meticulously incising an image onto a metal plate, inking it, and then pressing it onto paper. Consider the labor involved. Every line, every shadow on Louis’s face and clothing, required careful handwork. The texture of the print comes from the way the ink is caught in these lines and transferred to the paper. Prints like these were a key technology of their time, allowing images to be widely circulated. This portrait would have reinforced Louis's image, communicating power and authority through a relatively accessible medium. It’s a reminder that even representations of absolute power rely on specific methods of production. Looking closely at the material and the making reveals the complex relationship between art, labor, and social control. It’s a potent reminder that even the most seemingly straightforward image is the product of a specific set of conditions and choices.