Portret van Lodewijk XIV, koning van Frankrijk 1655 - 1700

Jan van Somer created this engraving of Louis XIV, King of France, using a combination of etching and engraving on paper. The effect is like that of a photograph, with the etched lines creating areas of light and shadow. Look closely, and you will see the subtle gradations of tone which give the king’s face a soft, almost dreamy quality. The details of his hair, laurel and clothing are sharply defined, as befits a royal portrait. Engraving is a slow process, with the artist using a tool called a burin to cut lines directly into a metal plate. Etching involves using acid to bite lines into the plate. Both require precision and control, particularly in a portrait such as this. Such a skill set required years of apprenticeship, an investment of time that reflects not just the importance of the sitter, but the significance of the print itself as a luxury commodity, consumed by a wealthy and educated elite. The portrait performs its own kind of labor, reifying royal power. As such, it’s a reminder that all images are made, not born.