Nicolas Cornet c. 17th century

Editor: This is a portrait of Nicolas Cornet by J. Devaux. The inscription tells us he died in 1663. The detail is impressive. What strikes you about it? Curator: It's fascinating how portraits like these solidify power structures. Cornet, likely a figure of religious authority, is carefully framed to project influence. The inscription, the coat of arms, the gaze—all contribute to this constructed identity. How does this image participate in the construction of historical narratives and social hierarchies? Editor: So it's not just about capturing a likeness, but about reinforcing a specific social order? Curator: Precisely. Consider who had the power to commission and circulate such images. It wasn't a democratic process, was it? What does this reveal about who gets remembered and how they're remembered? Editor: That makes me see the portrait very differently. It's not just an image, it's a statement. Curator: Yes, images are always political. What are we going to do to dismantle the system?