Portret van Lodewijk IV van Bourbon-Condé 1710 - 1738

Pierre Drevet created this print of Lodewijk IV van Bourbon-Condé, likely during the height of the French Baroque period. It's a portrait emblematic of its time, reflecting the rigid social hierarchies and the performance of power that characterized the French aristocracy. Consider how Drevet’s work immortalizes Lodewijk, framing him not just as an individual, but as a symbol of lineage and authority. The choice of attire, the armor, isn't merely functional; it speaks to a legacy of military prowess intertwined with noble identity. It begs the question: How does one balance personal identity with the expectations of lineage? Note too, the gaze averted, a common artistic technique used to evoke both power and a sense of unattainable mystique. This print isn’t simply a depiction of a man; it’s a careful construction of identity deeply embedded in the socio-political landscape of the time. It invites us to reflect on the performance of identity, and on the intricate dance between personal agency and historical determinism.