Armiger, Ephebus, Americani, from 'Courses de Testes et de Bagues Faittes par Roy et par les Princes et Signeurs de sa Cour, en l'annee 1662' (Grand Carrousel) 1662 - 1670

François Chauveau created this print, titled 'Armiger, Ephebus, Americani', in 1662, part of a series documenting the elaborate 'Grand Carrousel' equestrian event hosted by Louis XIV. The print offers a glimpse into the spectacle of courtly life, but also reveals the complex ways in which power and identity were constructed through performance. We see the riders adorned in costume, each representing different identities and places, including a curious reference to "Americani." This imagined vision of America reflects the exoticized and often inaccurate ways in which non-European cultures were perceived and represented in European art. Consider the elaborate costuming and staging. These elements served to reinforce the social hierarchy, emphasizing the King's authority and the nobility's perceived superiority. What feelings are evoked when considering the cultural biases that shaped these representations?