Allegorie op de macht van Lodewijk XIV 1680

This is Gérard Edelinck's engraving, "Allegory on the Power of Louis XIV," currently held at the Rijksmuseum. The monochrome image presents a scene of complex figures arranged in a dynamic, ascending composition. The texture created by the intricate lines of the engraving lends the piece a tactile quality despite its visual nature. At its heart, the allegory functions through a structural language of symbols. Louis XIV is shown elevated amidst mythological figures and allegorical representations. The figures point towards a semiotic system of power, divine right and governance. The artist uses the rising composition, placing the King at the apex of a visual pyramid. The composition serves to enshrine the King as the focal point of authority and veneration. The structure, therefore, isn’t merely aesthetic but also a carefully constructed argument about power and legitimacy. This print is not just a depiction but an active construction of political ideology.