Andre Le Fevre d'Ormesson 

Robert Nanteuil created this engraving of Andre Le Fevre d'Ormesson in 17th-century France. Engravings like this one served a crucial social function. In an era before photography, these were the means by which images of prominent individuals circulated. But engravings weren’t simply neutral records. Nanteuil was the official engraver to Louis XIV, and his portraits helped to construct an image of the French state and its most important figures. Here, d’Ormesson is framed by an oval border, inscribed with his name and titles in Latin, further dignified by his family’s coat of arms. The visual codes are clear, this is a man of status and authority. Understanding the social role of images like this requires looking into archives and libraries. By researching the lives and careers of those depicted, and the social networks of the artists who made them, we can better understand the complex relationship between art, power, and society.