Portret van Lodewijk XIV 1666

Pierre Landry’s portrait of Louis XIV presents us with a potent image of kingship, rendered in ink on paper. The laurel wreath crowning the king's head is a direct inheritance from classical antiquity, a symbol of triumph and imperial power, echoing the wreaths worn by Roman emperors. Consider how this motif appears throughout history, from the Caesars to Napoleon, each leader adopting and adapting the symbol to bolster their own authority. The wreath speaks of victory and divine favor, yet here, it also hints at the psychological weight of leadership. We see this symbol resurface time and again, each time imbued with new layers of meaning, shaped by the collective memory of its previous incarnations. The portrait subtly conveys the burden of power, engaging viewers on a subconscious level with the king's stoic, perhaps weary, gaze. It highlights the cyclical progression of symbols, constantly evolving yet forever tethered to their origins.