Portret van Lodewijk XIII, koning van Frankrijk in ovaal 1613 - 1656

Cornelis Danckerts’ portrait of Louis XIII, King of France, captures the monarch in fine lines and an oval frame. The immediate impression is one of formality, achieved through the symmetry of the composition and controlled hatching technique. Note how Danckerts uses the oval to isolate the King, framing him within a tradition of royal portraiture while suggesting containment, a visual metaphor for the constraints of power. The detailed rendering of textures, from the fur collar to the King's elaborate wig, speaks to the period's emphasis on material representation as a signifier of status. The King's gaze, though direct, is softened by the artistic stylization, typical of royal portraiture. Consider how the print functions beyond mere representation; it signifies the King's authority through established visual codes. The decorative border adds another layer, framing the image within a pattern that both contains and enhances its symbolic value. The engraving technique itself—with its sharp, definitive lines—reinforces a sense of order and clarity. This portrait, therefore, operates within a network of signs, each element contributing to the construction and communication of royal identity.