Louis XIV c. 17th century

Editor: So, this is Antoine Masson's portrait of Louis XIV. It's an engraving, and the detail is incredible. The scale is quite intimate, but that wig is so, so big! What strikes you most about this image? Curator: The opulence, of course. But it's crucial to consider the context. How does this image function within the broader narrative of power, gender, and representation during Louis XIV's reign? The "Sun King" constructed his image meticulously. Editor: So, it's not just a portrait, it's propaganda? Curator: Absolutely. Consider the fleur-de-lis and the lavish frame. How does this visual language reinforce the idea of divine right and absolute authority, and, conversely, whose voices are being actively excluded from this narrative? Editor: I never thought of it that way. It's powerful to consider who is missing from the frame. Curator: Precisely. Thinking about the historical context helps us interpret the piece, even centuries later. Editor: I'll definitely look at portraits differently now.