Titelblad til "Ludvig XIV's sejre" 1703 - 1717

This is Johanna Sibylla Küsel’s engraving made as a title page for "Ludvig XIV's sejre." Above the title, two winged figures support a shield bearing the fleur-de-lis, the heraldic emblem of the French monarchy. These lilies, symbols of purity, light, and divinity, are loaded with meaning that stretches back centuries. Consider how this emblem has been reimagined over time, from its association with the Virgin Mary in religious art to its adoption by French royalty to symbolize their divine right to rule. This potent symbol transcends its immediate context, echoing in various forms across different cultures and eras. We see the re-emergence of similar floral motifs to evoke feelings of power and legitimacy. The persistence of the fleur-de-lis speaks to the deep human impulse to connect with symbols that resonate on a subconscious level, and which evoke a complex interplay between cultural memory and individual emotion. This emblem carries a visual language that reflects how societies choose to remember and represent themselves.