Portret van Lodewijk XIV, koning van Frankrijk 1728

Bernard Picart's engraving portrays Louis XIV, the Sun King, his identity carefully constructed through symbols of power. The flowing wig, a carefully cultivated artifice, speaks of royalty and authority; a fashion statement that rippled through the courts of Europe. Consider the armor. It reminds us of the Roman emperors, who, like Louis, sought to project an image of invincibility and divine right. Yet, here, it seems more symbolic than functional, a relic of martial prowess, framing a monarch who preferred diplomacy and courtly display. Images like these can be traced back to antiquity, and forward through time, constantly evolving in meaning, reflecting the collective memory and aspirations of the societies that produce them. They resurface and evolve, echoing through the ages in an unbroken chain.