Louis Le Grand (Louis XIV) 1712

Editor: This is Pierre Drevet’s engraving "Louis Le Grand," depicting Louis XIV. It's grand, for sure! Look at that ermine robe! It’s quite a statement of power. What am I missing in my initial read of this image? Curator: Power, yes, but also performance, don't you think? That wig! The carefully posed leg! It's all stagecraft. Drevet wasn't just recording an image; he was crafting a myth. What does the texture evoke for you? Editor: Hmmm, the texture makes me think of luxury. The drape of the fabric, the shine on the crown. It all feels very tactile, despite being an engraving. Curator: Exactly! Drevet used line to create volume and capture the richness of the materials. It's a feast for the eyes, and a potent reminder of the visual language of absolutism. It's interesting to note how the material becomes the message. Editor: That's such a keen insight! I’ll never look at royal portraits the same way again. Curator: And now you have a whole new lens through which to appreciate the art!