Fotoreproductie van een gravure van Het vertrek van koning Hendrik IV naar Duitsland door Jean-Marc Nattier, naar het schilderij door Peter Paul Rubens before 1864

This is a photographic reproduction of an engraving of The Departure of King Henry IV to Germany by Dechamps et Cie, after a painting by Peter Paul Rubens. Rubens was a painter attached to the court. The image shows the King entrusting the Queen with the regency of France and the young Prince Louis, who will be the future Louis XIII. It’s a dynastic image intended to ensure political continuity, to present a strong vision of legitimate royal power at a moment of uncertainty. The engraving and its reproduction are a key means of disseminating that image of power. This reminds us that art of this kind is never simply a beautiful picture, but it’s something which is working to shape and organize power relations. Understanding this artwork involves delving into a world of archives, correspondence, and political documents, looking at the material conditions of image making, and considering how institutions use art to shape society.