Fontein met Karel IV als Mars before 1664

This engraving, "Fountain with Charles IV as Mars" was created by Sébastien Leclerc I. The image places Charles IV in an idealized, classical setting, reflecting the 17th-century French court's fascination with Roman antiquity and power. The representation of Charles IV as Mars, the Roman god of war, is a potent assertion of royal authority. This blending of classical symbolism with contemporary figures was a common strategy to legitimize and elevate the status of rulers. Leclerc uses the visual language of power to reinforce Charles's image as a strong, divinely appointed leader. However, this image also speaks to the complexities of identity and representation. Charles, like all people, existed within a web of social and political expectations. Depicting him as a god flattens the lived experience of an individual, turning him into an emblem. Leclerc's work provides insight into the performative aspects of power. It reminds us that identity is never fixed. It is always in dialogue with the images and stories we tell about ourselves and each other.