Getroonde Lodewijk XI omringt door prinsen en krijgsheren 1728 - 1780

Editor: So, here we have “Getroonde Lodewijk XI omringt door prinsen en krijgsheren,” or “Throned Louis XI Surrounded by Princes and Warlords,” an engraving made sometime between 1728 and 1780 by François Antoine Aveline. I'm struck by how this print seems to glorify royal power and portray it as this grand, almost theatrical spectacle. What do you see in this piece? Curator: Well, viewing it through a historical lens, it's less about pure glorification and more about constructing a particular *image* of power. Consider that this print was made decades after Louis XI's actual reign. What socio-political function did these types of historical representations have during the Baroque period? Editor: Hmm, to reinforce the legitimacy of the current rulers by associating them with a powerful, idealized past? Curator: Exactly. It’s a piece of political propaganda masquerading as historical record. Notice the staging - almost like a play. Who do you think this print was made for? Editor: I would guess the elite. It is printed on paper. Perhaps it was sold or used as decoration in aristocratic homes, subtly reinforcing their social order? Curator: Precisely. The very act of depicting history in this grand manner was part of a larger project, which positioned monarchy as divinely ordained and essential for stability. Did anything catch your attention from the attire, architecture and postures in the print? Editor: Yes, how rigidly the characters are standing, they have the same poses. What catches my eye is how the work serves as an elaborate tableau. It seems the goal wasn't necessarily to realistically represent history but to present it in a way that served a specific political agenda. Curator: Indeed. And by analyzing these images, we get insights into the ever evolving power dynamics. Editor: I see. So, by questioning its original function and target audience, we move beyond just admiring the aesthetic, don’t we?