Nicolas Gabriel de la Reynie, King's Councillor 1665

Curator: The formidable hair is my immediate impression; it's so voluminous, it almost overwhelms the figure. Editor: This is Pieter van Schuppen's engraving of Nicolas Gabriel de la Reynie, a King's Councillor. Look closely at the details achieved through the printmaking process. Curator: Absolutely. The contrast between the textures—the dense, swirling hair, the smoother skin, and the crisp lines of the lettering—is remarkable. I am curious about the social conditions enabling such craftsmanship. Editor: Consider, too, the institutional power at play. De la Reynie held a significant public role; images such as these were tools for projecting authority. Curator: And also for consumption. Who could afford such an item? Editor: Indeed, it serves as a potent artifact reflecting its historical moment, while also reflecting power. Curator: Precisely, it speaks volumes about the labor and systems of production of the day.