Bernard de La Valette 1627

Editor: So, this is Michel Lasne’s engraving of Bernard de La Valette. He’s on horseback, looking very regal. It feels very...heroic. What do you see in this piece beyond the surface? Curator: I see a carefully constructed image of power, deeply embedded in its historical context. Note the cherubs and the symbolic light. How does this imagery play into the construction of La Valette's authority? Editor: You mean how the artist used religious symbols to legitimize his power? Curator: Exactly. And consider the societal impact of such imagery. Who was this image for, and what message was it intended to convey about La Valette's role in society? Editor: So much to think about! I never considered how power could be displayed in such a way. Curator: Art often reflects and reinforces existing power structures, and can be used to challenge them, too.