Portret van Hugues de Revel 1726

This is Laurent Cars’ engraving of Hugues de Revel, likely made in the first half of the 18th century. The print captures de Revel in profile, framed by an inscription that celebrates him as the nineteenth Grand Master. The image invites us to consider the visual strategies used to construct and convey authority and identity. Hugues de Revel, as Grand Master of the Knights Hospitaller, was a figure enmeshed in networks of power, religion, and military might. The engraving situates him within a lineage of leadership and valor, reinforcing his position within the Order. The details in de Revel’s features – his gaze, beard, and robes – all contribute to an aura of wisdom, piety, and strength. Yet, these representations are not neutral; they are shaped by the expectations and values of the time. Cars’ portrait serves not just as a record but as an active participant in shaping the narrative of leadership and legacy. It asks us to reflect on the relationship between representation, power, and memory.