Portret van Lodewijk XIII 1604 - 1670

Crispijn van de Passe II created this portrait of Louis XIII using engraving techniques. Notice how the oval shape of the portrait is mirrored in the ornate frame, creating a sense of enclosure. The frame itself is more than just a border; it integrates text and decorative elements, blurring the line between the portrait and its setting. Look closely at the textures. Van de Passe masterfully uses line and stippling to convey the soft curls of Louis XIII's hair and the delicate ruffles of his collar. The meticulous detail extends to the fabric of his garment, where the play of light and shadow gives depth and form. This portrait operates as a carefully constructed sign. The formality of the composition, combined with the symbolic elements, communicates power and authority. The lettering that encircles Louis XIII, which names him King of France and Navarre, acts as a visual declaration of his status, reinforcing the structure of monarchical power. However, by integrating elements of artifice and surface detail, the portrait also acknowledges the constructed nature of representation itself.