Portret van Odo I, koning van West-Francië 1838 - 1841

This is Ferdinand Delannoy's 19th-century engraving of Odo I, King of West Francia, an image produced during a time of intense nationalistic sentiment in Europe. Consider how Delannoy, living centuries after Odo I, re-imagines this historical figure through the lens of his own era. Odo, who ruled in the late 9th century, embodies the origins of French identity, a concept Delannoy seeks to visualize. The king is adorned with symbols of power: a crown, scepter, and orb, each carefully rendered to convey authority. Yet, what does it mean to look back and selectively construct a narrative of leadership and nationhood? Delannoy's engraving participates in a broader cultural project of myth-making, where historical figures are molded to serve contemporary ideals. The artist makes representational choices that echo the power structures of his own time. He asks us to reflect on how we interpret and represent the past.