Portret van François-Hyacinthe 1702

Georges Tasnière created this print, *Portret van François-Hyacinthe*, sometime in the 17th century. During this period, portraiture served as a powerful tool for shaping perceptions of status and power. Here, we see François-Hyacinthe, Duke of Savoy, at a tender age, enshrined within an elaborate oval frame. The Latin inscription below hints at the turbulent events of his short life; orphaned and then dead by the age of six. Consider the conventions of the time. As a young male heir he is dressed in traditionally masculine clothing. His androgynous presentation underscores the complexities of gender and power within the context of aristocracy. Does this representation truly reflect the lived experience of this young boy? Or does it perpetuate a carefully constructed narrative designed to legitimize power? The print invites us to reflect on the fragility of life amidst political upheaval.