Allegory of Marie Antoinette 1776

This engraving, made by Augustin de Saint-Aubin, presents Marie Antoinette as a figure surrounded by allegorical representations of virtues and blessings. The cherubic figures above, reminiscent of Renaissance putti, symbolize divine favor and innocence, concepts deeply rooted in religious iconography. Such imagery hearkens back to the visual language of antiquity, where rulers were often depicted with celestial beings to assert their legitimacy and divine right. Consider the Roman emperors, whose portraits frequently included symbols of Jupiter or Venus to underscore their power and grace. Yet, the presence of such symbols here, during the Enlightenment, reveals a desperate attempt to cloak the monarchy in an aura of unassailable authority. The engraving elicits a complex emotional response, evoking both admiration and a sense of foreboding, knowing the Queen's tragic fate. This potent combination of symbols, laden with historical weight and psychological resonance, speaks to the enduring power of images to shape our perceptions and evoke profound emotional responses.