Portret van de Franse koning Lodewijk XIV 1670 - 1713

Pieter Schenk created this portrait of Louis XIV, likely from an earlier painting, using etching and engraving techniques. This image presents us with an idealized vision of the French monarch, whose reign marked a high point in the development of centralized power and absolutist rule. The pose, the armor, and the background battle scene all contribute to an image of power and military might. But it's worth remembering that images of monarchs were carefully curated to project authority and legitimacy. To fully understand this portrait, we might consider sources such as royal inventories, contemporary accounts, and political writings, which offer a much broader picture of the political climate in France at the time. These resources allow us to move beyond the surface and appreciate the complex social forces that shaped both the art and the institutions of the period.