Portret van Charles Colbert 1691

Gérard Edelinck created this portrait of Charles Colbert using engraving techniques. Colbert was a significant figure in the court of Louis XIV, embodying the era's aristocratic power. The portrait reflects the cultural norms of 17th-century France, where identity was meticulously crafted and performed through fashion and pose. Colbert's elaborate wig and lace collar weren't just personal choices; they were markers of status and belonging. The image presents a carefully constructed representation of masculinity tied to wealth and authority. It invites us to consider the performative aspects of identity. How does Colbert use his image to project a certain persona? What does it mean to perform this type of identity, and who is excluded from it? Consider how portraits like this, while presenting an image of individual importance, also reinforced a system of social hierarchy and power. The emotional detachment in Colbert's gaze speaks volumes about the distance between the ruling class and the rest of society.