Lodewijk I van Bourbon in een legerkamp met paarden en soldaten 1772

This print of Louis I, Duke of Bourbon, in a military encampment was made by Benoit Louis Prevost in the late 18th century. Prevost, a French engraver, was working during a time of significant social and political upheaval, with emerging questions about the role of monarchy and nobility. This image presents us with a dramatized vision of noble leadership, rooted in a specific visual language of power. Consider the cultural references. Note the Duke’s prominent position, surrounded by soldiers and horses, signifiers of military might. This imagery reflects a conservative desire to affirm traditional hierarchies. But as historians, we can dig deeper. How does this depiction align with the social realities of late 18th-century France? To understand this, we might consult military records, social histories, and even pamphlets circulating at the time. The image isn't just a portrait; it's a statement, a claim about the Duke's authority in a changing world.