Louis XIV 1662

Curator: Oh, my. All that hair! Like a chocolate waterfall, isn't it? There's such… stillness, almost, in those eyes, considering all the power they must have seen. Editor: Indeed. Here we have Robert Nanteuil's engraving of Louis XIV, dating from 1662. An early image, well before the Sun King myth fully crystallized, yet it showcases his emerging absolutist image. Curator: The precision is incredible! I keep wondering how long it took Nanteuil to etch every strand, every curve of that glorious cascade. There is an attempt at humanizing this image. Editor: Absolutely, engraving allowed for the wider dissemination of the King's image. Notice how Nanteuil uses the oval frame and Latin inscription to create an immediate sense of classical authority around the portrait. Consider that while Louis projected magnificence, constant war, court intrigue and the plague threatened his reign. So image mattered, as did Nanteuil's skillful engraving to convey majesty through reproducible means. Curator: Yes, you can almost feel the weight of the crown, the burden of expectation, despite his relatively youthful appearance. I love how the fur stole looks luxurious to the touch, almost beckoning you closer, as if tempting intimacy... it adds warmth and vulnerability, an incredible balancing act. He looks a tad overwhelmed with having all of those regal duties in the era. Editor: Indeed, the baroque era employed lavish ornamentation, gesture, and color in propaganda to signal power, this particular portrait relies instead on careful observation and nuanced composition. Look how the subtle textures play against the overall sense of restrained grandeur. It subtly hints at divine right but stays relatively accessible and believable to the common person. Curator: Which I suppose made it all the more persuasive, right? He could be stern and an affable to everyone during his rule. He played both sides which is smart considering it was monarchy Editor: Precisely! In making Louis relatable, the portrait cements his authority. A calculated approach and enduring masterpiece by Nanteuil. Curator: A snapshot of controlled power, beautifully rendered and very telling. Thank you for opening my eyes further into art. Editor: A king, a print, and enduring power. It's been a fascinating exploration, thank you.