Penning met het portret van Lodewijk XIV (grote variant) 1700 - 1733

Bernard Picart created this print of a medal with etching around 1700. The medal commemorates Louis XIV, also known as the Sun King, whose reign was marked by absolute power and elaborate displays of wealth and status. On one side, we see a portrait of Louis XIV, the epitome of aristocratic masculinity, his elaborate wig a symbol of power and status. Turn our attention to the other side and consider what's at stake here: a snake sheds its skin under the beams of light. The inscription reads, “His aspect restores life to us”. The medal attempts to immortalize the monarch and legitimize his reign. It is a reminder that symbols of power are always culturally constructed and mediated, and that art plays a crucial role in shaping our understanding of history and identity. It reflects the complex interplay between power, representation, and societal values.