Portret van François-Michel Le Tellier 1666 - 1707

Gérard Edelinck created this print of François-Michel Le Tellier, Marquis de Louvois, in the late 17th century. The image promotes the Marquis as a figure of power and wisdom. Look at the Marquis framed by allegorical figures. On the left, Minerva, the Roman goddess of wisdom, stands beside a pillar, and on the right, Mars, the god of war, reclines in armor. At their feet, a lion symbolizes courage and majesty. The Marquis de Louvois was Louis XIV’s Secretary of State for War, and these symbols evoke a sense of his political status. The Latin inscription around the portrait further emphasizes his role as a statesman. This print, made in France, reflects the absolutist culture of Louis XIV’s court, where art was used to enhance the king's and his ministers' authority. Analyzing prints like these, along with archival documents and political writings, helps us understand how power was visually constructed and disseminated in early modern Europe. The study of social and institutional contexts is crucial for understanding the purposes of art.