Denis Marin 1661

Robert Nanteuil made this engraving of Denis Marin, a French government official, sometime in the mid-17th century. The image is an ideal example of the way portraiture was used to reinforce social hierarchies. Denis Marin's importance is communicated to us through visual codes. The Latin inscription indicates his high office, while the coat-of-arms at the bottom connects him to the traditions of aristocratic power. His elegant dress and carefully styled hair also speak to his elevated social position. France at this time was a highly stratified society, and the institutions of art played a key role in maintaining those social distinctions. The print medium allowed images of important figures to be widely circulated, reinforcing their authority. Historians consult sources such as letters, diaries, and administrative records to understand the social context in which art is made. These resources help us to interpret images like this one, and to understand the complex interplay between art, power, and society.