Portret van Karel de Grote 1647 - 1678

Nicolas de Larmessin the First created this print of Charlemagne, the first Holy Roman Emperor, sometime in the 17th century. This portrait is more than a simple depiction of a historical figure; it's a potent symbol crafted within the context of 17th-century France. Consider the reign of Louis XIV, a period marked by the consolidation of royal power and the construction of a powerful national identity. Charlemagne, a legendary ruler of the past, was invoked to legitimize the French monarchy's ambitions. The symbols are clear: the crown, the sword, the fleur-de-lis coat of arms—all visual cues that associate the French monarchy with Charlemagne’s imperial legacy. To fully understand this image, we need to look into the political climate, the history of the French monarchy, and the visual culture of the time. Images like this were carefully constructed to shape public perception and reinforce the authority of the state, and their study allows us to understand the complex relationship between art, power, and society.