Portret van Lodewijk XV van Frankrijk 1725

This is Charles Dupuis’s portrait of Louis XV of France. The fleur-de-lis is everywhere, the symbol of French royalty and divine right, yet its roots trace back to ancient symbols of fertility and power. Notice the regal crown, positioned not atop his head but beside him, almost as if discarded, a subtle signal of changing times. This recalls ancient Roman traditions where wreaths, symbols of victory and leadership, were similarly displayed. The scepter in Louis’s hand, a potent emblem of authority, can be found throughout history, from the staffs of pharaohs to the batons of military leaders. The gesture of holding it conveys not only power but also a certain vulnerability. It reminds us that the weight of leadership is as much a burden as it is a privilege. Consider how such symbols, charged with the emotional weight of history, continue to resurface, evolving with each new era, endlessly renegotiated in the theater of human culture.