Lodewijk XIV op zegekar gekroond 1695

Augustin Jacques Renard de Saint-André made this print, Lodewijk XIV op zegekar gekroond, sometime in the late 17th century. Here, the Sun King, Louis XIV, is depicted on a triumphal chariot, an image designed to project power and divine right. Prints like these were crucial tools for constructing and disseminating the image of the monarch. Made in France, the print reflects the absolutist ambitions of Louis's reign. By examining such imagery, we can see how the royal court used visual propaganda to reinforce its authority. The imagery also played an important role in establishing cultural hegemony, influencing artistic styles and tastes across Europe. Institutions such as the Royal Academy of Painting and Sculpture were instrumental in standardizing artistic expression. These prints, often commissioned by the court, helped shape public perception of the king. Historians consult a wide range of sources, from court records to personal letters, to fully understand the context in which such works were created and consumed.