Fries met monogram Karel IV before 1664

This is Sébastien Leclerc's etching, “Fries met monogram Karel IV,” housed here at the Rijksmuseum. Leclerc employed etching to capture the intricate details of a fountain and a monogram, both dedicated to Charles IV. Note the stark contrast between the meticulously detailed fountain scene above, full of architectural precision and human figures, and the dense, ornamental monogram below. The fountain is structured around a strong central obelisk, its verticality emphasized by converging lines that mimic water jets, creating a sense of dynamic movement. The building provides a rigid backdrop, its orthogonal lines contrasting with the fountain's fluidity. Below, the monogram is densely packed, a heraldic emblem framed by flags and weapons. This contrast highlights the duality of public display and personal identity, themes typical of Baroque art's exploration of power and representation. Leclerc uses the rigidity of form to convey the imposing nature of power. The monogram embodies a structured assertion of identity and lineage.