Jean-Baptiste Colbert 1662

Editor: This is Robert Nanteuil's portrait of Jean-Baptiste Colbert. The formal pose and surrounding Latin inscription create a powerful presence. What symbols do you find most striking here? Curator: Notice the serpent on Colbert’s coat of arms. Serpents often symbolize healing and wisdom, but also deception. Here, it hints at Colbert’s complex legacy as a brilliant, but sometimes ruthless, statesman. What does the serpent evoke for you? Editor: It makes me think about the duality of power, how it can be both constructive and destructive. Curator: Exactly. The image captures how enduring symbols can be repurposed to reflect changing perceptions of a figure across time. Editor: I hadn't considered how the serpent could shift in meaning depending on the viewer. Thanks!