Nicolas de Lamoignon, Comte de Courson 1676

Editor: This is Antoine Masson's portrait of Nicolas de Lamoignon, Comte de Courson. What strikes me most is the wig! What symbols do you see in this image? Curator: The wig signifies power, but it's also a mask. A constructed identity, hiding the individual underneath. Notice how the face is smooth, almost idealized, a symbol of control and authority. Editor: So it's about projecting a certain image, a cultural memory of power? Curator: Precisely. The image becomes a stand-in for the man, a cultural artifact loaded with meaning, masking any sense of personality. We only see what he wants us to see. Editor: It's fascinating how much a single image can convey about cultural values and identity. Curator: Indeed, and how easily symbols can be manipulated.