Portret van Claude Louis Hector de Villars 1715 - 1717

Pierre Drevet made this engraving of Claude Louis Hector de Villars, a French military commander, sometime between the late 17th and early 18th centuries. Engravings like this one were a key technology in the image culture of early modern Europe. Through them, portraits of prominent figures circulated widely. The visual codes here are quite clear: Villars is dressed in armor, a symbol of military authority. The battle scene in the background reinforces this, as do the various heraldic symbols included. This portrait speaks to the importance of the military in French society during the reign of Louis XIV and his successors. Villars was one of France's most successful generals, and images like this one helped to cement his reputation. To understand this image fully, it would be helpful to consult primary sources from the period, such as military histories and biographical accounts. These can tell us more about the social and institutional context in which this portrait was made.