Olivarius Le Fevre d'Ormesson 1665

Editor: This is Antoine Masson's portrait of Olivarius Le Fevre d'Ormesson. It's a print, so no color, but the details are amazing. What do you make of it? Curator: Well, prints like this served to disseminate power. Ormesson, a magistrate, is framed by symbols of authority, literally inscribed into the print. Consider the role of portraiture in solidifying social hierarchies during this period. What does the artist's choice to depict him surrounded by symbols of wealth and power tell us? Editor: That it's meant to show his importance, but maybe also make him seem unapproachable? Curator: Precisely. It’s not just about representation; it’s about reinforcing a system. Thinking about whose stories get told, and how, is so important. Editor: I never thought about art this way, it changes how I see things.