Portret van Louis de Nogaret de La Valette 1639 - 1676

This is an engraving of Louis de Nogaret de La Valette, made by Jean Frosne in Paris sometime in the mid-17th century. De La Valette was a cardinal, a commander, and the Duke of Espernon; a man of both the cloth and the sword. The France in which he lived and this print was made was one defined by religious and political conflict. The French Wars of Religion had only recently ended, and the country was still divided between Catholics and Protestants. De La Valette himself was a prominent figure in the Catholic Church, and his military achievements were often framed as victories for the faith. This print, then, can be understood as a piece of propaganda, designed to promote the image of De La Valette as a strong and pious leader. To fully understand its meaning, a historian might consult letters, sermons, and other documents from the period. These sources can help us to understand the social and political context in which the print was made, and how it was intended to be received.