Lodewijk VI 1620 - 1664

Editor: So, this is "Lodewijk VI," an etching and engraving by Stefano della Bella, sometime between 1620 and 1664. It's a rather small print depicting a king on horseback, with some text beneath it. I'm struck by how stiff and formal the image feels, especially the horse. What stories do you think this image is trying to tell? Curator: Well, let’s think about what horses represent in art. They're symbols of power, status, and military might, right? This particular depiction feels very controlled, very deliberate. Considering the text describes Louis VI, also known as Louis the Fat, do you see any irony or perhaps commentary on his reign in this controlled imagery? Editor: Interesting! I hadn’t thought about the contrast between his nickname and the formality of the depiction. So, the controlled image isn't just about power, but maybe also about projecting a certain image. Curator: Exactly. What details draw your eye? The plumed helmet? The way the horse is posed? Think about what each of those visual elements might have meant to contemporary viewers. Editor: The helmet is definitely elaborate. And now that you mention it, the horse’s pose is quite artificial. It makes me think less of a battlefield and more of a staged display. Curator: Consider, too, the relationship between the image and the text. They aren't separate elements. They work together to shape a particular narrative about Louis VI, one where his strength and wisdom are emphasized despite any personal... attributes he may have had. Editor: So it's not just a portrait, but almost a piece of propaganda? That interplay between image and text is really interesting. I never would have considered that. Curator: Every visual element tells a story. We just need to learn to read the language of these symbols. Editor: Right. Thanks, it's amazing how much a seemingly simple image can communicate. I will never look at another historical image without looking at its symbols in context.