Portret van Louis de Bourbon, comte de Vermandois 1677 - 1699

This print of Louis de Bourbon, comte de Vermandois, was made by Cornelis Nicolaus Schurtz. It gives us some clues about the role of portraiture in solidifying power during the early modern period. Prints like these circulated widely throughout Europe. They reinforced aristocratic hierarchies and served as propaganda. Louis is depicted wearing armour, a fur stole, and the cross of a knightly order, emphasizing his noble status. The fleur-de-lis further identifies him as French royalty. This image speaks to the way aristocratic power was maintained through visual codes and institutional structures. Careful research into sources like aristocratic genealogies, fashion history, and the records of various chivalric orders would tell us a lot more about the social context of this portrait.