Promotieprent met allegorische voorstelling van Lodewijk XIV als Jupiter, 1659 1659

Editor: This is an engraving from 1659 titled "Promotieprent met allegorische voorstelling van Lodewijk XIV als Jupiter," which translates to something like "Promotional Print with an allegorical representation of Louis XIV as Jupiter." It's by Pieter van Schuppen, hanging in the Rijksmuseum. It feels quite dramatic, almost theatrical. What jumps out at you in this elaborate scene? Curator: Ah, yes! A bit of Baroque bombast, perhaps? The scale, the theatricality... It's all incredibly purposeful. Immediately, I see the rather blatant deification of Louis XIV. See how he's portrayed as Jupiter, king of the gods, wielding those thunderbolts? What does that strike in you? Editor: It seems very self-aggrandizing. To portray a king as a god! It feels almost… excessive? What about the other figures around him, the warrior and the sea god? Curator: Exactly! Excess is the point. Power must be seen to be believed, or something. Mars, the God of War and Neptune are there too; the whole world seemingly under his control, both land and sea! Notice the lion, symbol of strength and royalty, cowering beneath him. It's a carefully constructed piece of propaganda, wouldn't you say? Do you feel a certain dissonance, maybe? Editor: I do. I suppose that contrast between the artist's skill, and how it is being put to use for blatant political messaging, is a bit unsettling. Are those rays from the stars striking down other kingdoms in Europe? Curator: Maybe they're the enemies and maybe not - either way, they bring a guiding message to others to either follow, kneel or parish in times of political war. But I must add that looking past the intended messaging brings great fun to explore as well as imagine. Editor: Well, I definitely have a clearer picture of the context and the intention behind this. Thanks! It is always about trying to find a bit of the beauty to a purpose that it may not fully hold, you know? Curator: Always digging beneath the surface, exactly, just like any great journey, my friend.