Penning met het portret van Karel X van Frankrijk 1720

This print of a medal with the portrait of Charles X of France was made by Bernard Picart, around 1720. It's an engraving, meaning that the design was incised into a metal plate, inked, and then printed onto paper. Consider the material reality of this object: the sharp lines and fine details are a direct consequence of the engraver's skill and labor, painstakingly cutting into the metal. This wasn't just about replicating an image; it was about transforming a likeness into a matrix, capable of producing multiple identical impressions. Engraving was a highly valued skill in the 18th century. Prints like this one circulated widely, disseminating images of power and status. The act of reproducing Charles X in this way speaks to the growing power of the media and its role in shaping public perception. It reminds us that even seemingly straightforward images are the product of skilled hands and complex social forces.