Pierre Jeannin c. 17th century

Editor: This is Robert Nanteuil's portrait of Pierre Jeannin. It's a very formal depiction. What does this portrait tell us about power and representation in the 17th century? Curator: Indeed. Nanteuil's engraving presents Jeannin within the context of his roles: President, Superintendent, and Minister. It shows us how identity was performed and circulated within elite circles. Editor: Performed? Curator: How he *chose* to be seen. Think about the deliberate construction of image - the gravitas, the clothes that denote status. What power structures are being reinforced here? Editor: It's interesting to consider how portraits both reflect and create social hierarchies. I never thought about it quite like that. Curator: Portraits such as this are not just representations, they are active participants in shaping perceptions and maintaining established power dynamics.