Portret van Karel VIII, koning van Frankrijk 1598

This print of Charles VIII, King of France, was made by Jost Amman around 1584. Here, Charles is framed by an elaborate cartouche, and the text tells us he began to reign in 1484. Prints like this one had a clear public role in early modern Europe. They helped to consolidate the power of the monarchy by creating and circulating its imagery. This image of Charles creates meaning through visual codes, cultural references, and historical associations. The style and content are influenced by the complex social, political, and religious context of the late 16th century, particularly the rise of Protestantism and the ensuing religious wars. As historians, we can look into resources such as letters, diaries, and other textual records to understand the complex social and institutional conditions that gave rise to images like this one. Ultimately, the meaning of art is contingent on these social and institutional contexts.