Portret van François Girardon 1673 - 1738

Pierre Drevet created this print of François Girardon, sometime between 1663 and 1738. As a portrait of a leading sculptor in the court of Louis XIV, this work offers insights into the French aristocracy and its relationship to the arts. Consider the cultural politics embedded in this image: Girardon is framed within an elaborate oval, surrounded by symbols of his craft and classical antiquity. The wig, the clothing, and the very pose exude the power and status he attained through his artistic contributions to the monarchy. Drevet's engraving immortalizes not just Girardon's likeness, but also his position within the rigid social hierarchy of the time. What does it mean to memorialize someone like this? This portrait speaks to the complex interplay between art, power, and identity in the French court, prompting us to reflect on the stories that get told, and who gets to tell them.