Portret van Charles de Valois, hertog van Angoulême 1580 - 1588

Remigius Hogenberg created this portrait of Charles de Valois using engraving techniques in the late 16th century. The image speaks volumes about the politics of imagery in its time. Consider the context: Charles was the illegitimate son of King Charles IX of France. The inscription "Charles de France Bastart" isn't merely descriptive; it's a public declaration of status within a rigid social hierarchy. The grandeur of his attire, juxtaposed with the acknowledgement of his illegitimacy, creates a fascinating tension. How does this portrait function within the French court's visual language? Was it a means of integrating Charles into court life, or a constant reminder of his 'bastard' status? Investigating court records and contemporary accounts could reveal more about the social conditions that shaped this work and its reception. Art like this reminds us that meaning is always contingent on social and institutional context.