Lodewijk XIII en zijn maîtresse Marie de Hautefort 1731

Bernard Picart's engraving presents Louis XIII and Marie de Hautefort amidst the trappings of power and intimacy. The bedchamber, a charged space, is adorned with symbols of both earthly and divine authority, reflected in the tapestry and sculptural details. Notice the feather fan held by Louis, an ancient emblem of power and status, with roots stretching back to Egyptian royalty. This simple object has appeared throughout history, carried by Roman consuls and Renaissance monarchs alike, each time adapted to symbolize the power of its holder. Yet, here, its presence carries a different weight, almost undermined by the king’s awkward stance. Consider how this motif mirrors the scepter, another symbol of rule, passed down through generations. Both engage our collective memory, triggering associations of power, yet also, perhaps, stirring anxieties about its legitimacy. Such symbols are not static; they evolve, accumulate layers of meaning, and resonate differently across epochs, engaging us on a subconscious level. The fan, like the scepter, becomes a powerful reminder of our own, ever-shifting, relationship to power.