Entry of Louis VII (c.1120-80) King of France and Conrad III (1093-1152) King of Germany into Constantinople during the Crusades, 1147-49 

Curator: This vibrant tempera painting presents "Entry of Louis VII, King of France, and Conrad III, King of Germany into Constantinople during the Crusades, 1147-49." It is attributed to Jean Fouquet and resides in the Bibliothèque nationale de France. Editor: My initial reaction is that there is a delightful naiveté to the composition. The flattened perspective, the slightly awkward renderings of the figures and horses. I'm struck by how stylized it is, less concerned with realism and more with… well, I'm not sure yet! Curator: Indeed. What strikes me is the political weight of the imagery. The figures of Louis and Conrad become these standard-bearers of power, even when confronted with the Byzantine Empire represented here by Constantinople. The painting speaks volumes about Western perceptions of Eastern opulence and might. The entire historical backdrop of the Crusades must be considered. Editor: Symbolically, that stylized flatness contributes. Everything is laid out almost like a map, each element representing something. The fortified walls and the river denote impenetrable strength and protection. Blue flags featuring gold fleur-de-lis emerge and echo those cultural symbols. Curator: Precisely. This image isn’t just about recording an event, but about constructing and reinforcing specific narratives of the Crusades, and French and German royal power, playing into a pre-existing narrative framework for the audiences of that time. Editor: You see so many layers in this painting: It feels simultaneously self-aware and aspirational. This single scene is able to evoke an entire network of cultural biases that played into the larger Crusades efforts. What feels most contemporary is this painting's manipulation of the image in pursuit of specific symbolic weight. Curator: Well put. It prompts us to consider the ongoing legacy of this visual language of power. These tropes still echo throughout Western art today and reflect deep issues of cultural hegemony that remain pertinent to unpack in contemporary times. Editor: Absolutely. Thinking about those echoes makes experiencing this artwork relevant. Thank you.