Guillaume du Vair 

François Langlois created this engraving of Guillaume du Vair, a prominent French philosopher and political figure, sometime before 1647. The portrait, framed by ornate detailing, reflects the status and gravitas associated with men of power during the early modern period. Du Vair, born in 1556, lived through a tumultuous period marked by religious conflict and political intrigue. His philosophical work often grappled with themes of Stoicism and reconciliation during the French Wars of Religion, seeking a middle ground amidst sectarian divides. As a member of the Parlement of Paris and later as a Keeper of the Seals, Du Vair navigated the complex intersection of law, religion, and politics. Langlois' engraving immortalizes Du Vair, capturing both his intellectual intensity and his position within the French court. The portrait, in its careful detail, speaks to the power of representation and the ways in which identity was constructed and disseminated through visual media in the 17th century.