Nicolas de Neufville, Marquis de Villeroy c. 17th century

Curator: This is Jean Morin’s portrait of Nicolas de Neufville, Marquis de Villeroy. The labor involved in producing this print, consider the physical act of engraving. What do you see in this piece regarding the social context of its production? Editor: It’s so detailed. It looks like it took a lot of time and skill to make this. What was its purpose, and how does that relate to the materials used? Curator: The purpose was likely to circulate the image and status of Villeroy among elites. Look at the armor and inscription; how do these materials signify power and wealth in 17th-century France? Editor: The armor definitely speaks to a certain status, and the inscription reinforces that. I guess the printmaking makes that accessible, but still exclusive. Curator: Precisely. It's about controlling access to image and representation in a rapidly changing social landscape. Editor: That's fascinating. I’d never considered the role of materiality in creating and reinforcing social hierarchies like this.