Personificatie van de beeldhouwkunst met een buste van Lodewijk XV van Frankrijk 1760

Etienne Fessard created this print, Personification of Sculpture with a Bust of Louis XV of France, sometime in the 18th century. It depicts a child, presumably female, personifying the art of sculpture. The print offers a glimpse into the cultural values and gender roles of the 1700s, where art was often used to convey political messages. The bust of King Louis XV symbolizes power and authority. But look closer and you will see that the child, an allegorical figure, is actively engaged in shaping the bust, subtly suggesting that sculpture, and perhaps art itself, has the ability to influence perceptions of power. Prints such as this were often dedicated to noble women with an interest in the arts. This print is dedicated to Madame de Pompadour, who was Louis XV's mistress and a major patron of the arts. It raises questions about women's roles as both subjects and consumers of art. Ultimately, Fessard's work reflects a society grappling with ideas of power, representation, and the evolving status of women within the cultural sphere.