Louis XVI c. 18th century

Editor: Here we have Johann Gotthard Müller’s portrait of Louis XVI. It feels very staged, very much about displaying power. What do you think this portrait reveals about the role of imagery in monarchy? Curator: Exactly. Consider the context: this image circulates within a society grappling with Enlightenment ideals. Müller, though commissioned, subtly hints at the monarchy's disconnect from the emerging public sphere. Notice how the crown is placed on the chair. Editor: It's almost like it's discarded. Curator: Precisely. The image, intended to solidify power, inadvertently reveals its fragility. This makes me wonder, to what extent did such portraits shape public perception? Editor: I never thought about it that way! Thanks for pointing out the nuances of power at play within this image. Curator: It’s a fascinating interplay of intention and reception, isn't it?