Meroüée / Prudent et vaillant..., from 'Game of the Kings of France' (Jeu des Rois de France) 1644

Editor: This is "Merouée / Prudent et vaillant..." by Stefano della Bella, created in 1644. It's an engraving, and my first impression is that it’s like a playing card or a portrait from a history book. What story does this image tell, beyond the obvious? Curator: This image speaks volumes about how rulers wished to be seen. Note how Merovee, a Frankish king, is depicted as a classical hero. Even the horse is a deliberate reference. Editor: How so? Curator: The horse doesn’t just represent power and status. It's a symbol of conquest and dominance. The raised foreleg specifically alludes to readiness for action, but also controlled power. Notice too how the text describes him winning against the Romans and Visigoths; this image served to solidify that memory in popular culture. Editor: So it's more than just a picture, it’s also shaping the cultural narrative? Curator: Precisely. This image of Merovee isn’t just about an individual, but also the power of a specific bloodline, of the idea of divine right and historical justification. This is visual propaganda intended to endure. What does the choice of medium, engraving, say to you? Editor: That it could be widely distributed, that many copies could be made...a democratization of propaganda, maybe? I didn't really consider that! Curator: Indeed! Every line, every choice of imagery serves to embed cultural values and power structures. Engravings like this helped cement historical narratives. It is a reminder that history itself is always told from a perspective. Editor: That’s fascinating! It changes the way I view even these older pieces – it is far more intentional than I first assumed! Curator: I hope this gives you tools for delving deeper into the art historical context and seeing how imagery functions to construct meaning.