Louis, Duke of Burgundy c. 17th century

Curator: This is Gérard Edelinck’s portrait of Louis, Duke of Burgundy. Look at the intricate lines, a testament to his skill with the burin. Editor: He looks so young, almost doll-like. It’s unsettling how power is projected onto such a soft face. Curator: The engraving process was meticulous. Think of the labor involved in rendering the lace and the detail in his face. Each mark signifies the labor in reproducing power. Editor: And that power is inherited. He is presented as a symbol, a carefully constructed image to perpetuate the Bourbon dynasty. Curator: The materiality of the print itself, the ink on paper, made this image of royalty widely accessible. It served as propaganda, influencing the perceptions of the masses. Editor: Precisely! The image and distribution of the Duke of Burgundy reinforces hierarchies and normalizes aristocratic privilege through visual culture. Curator: Considering the material and process gives insight into its intended effect. Editor: Absolutely, it opens up a broader understanding of how images actively shape and reinforce the social fabric.