Ludovico Augustus, Prince of Dombes 1703

Curator: What a weight of presence from this portrait of Ludovico Augustus, Prince of Dombes. It’s an engraving by Pierre Drevet, a master of the burin in the late 17th and early 18th centuries. Editor: The weight is right. All that armor, the crown, the curtain, the swirly hair—it feels so burdened, almost theatrical. Curator: It's a performance of power, isn’t it? Drevet was exceptionally skilled at capturing the textures, the sheen of the armor, and the light on skin using only lines. These portraits were often commissioned to amplify status. Editor: Status, yes, but what does it mask? I see a weariness in his eyes, a hint of melancholy beneath the wig and metal. Almost makes you feel for him, trapped in his role. Curator: Perhaps Drevet, in his artistry, allowed a glimpse beyond the princely facade. These commissioned pieces are so interesting to study, it makes one wonder what was truly going on. Editor: True, and maybe that quiet rebellion is why it resonates even now. Portraits may speak to us differently than they did originally.