Wapenschild van koning Lodewijk XIV van Frankrijk en de letter J met op de achtergrond Pan 1717

This engraving, "Wapenschild van koning Lodewijk XIV van Frankrijk en de letter J met op de achtergrond Pan" was made anonymously. It depicts Louis XIV’s coat of arms with cherubs, books, and the letter J with Pan in the background. Louis XIV, known as the Sun King, ruled France with absolute authority, centralizing power and controlling the aristocracy. During his reign, the arts became a tool to glorify his image. The cherubs and royal symbols in the engraving evoke a sense of divine right and power. Books in the image may allude to the intellectual and cultural achievements attributed to his reign, and the letter J with Pan in the background to the relationship of the king with arts and entertainment. Looking at this image, you might wonder, what does absolute power look like? How do rulers use art to shape their image? This engraving offers a glimpse into the world of royal propaganda, and raises questions about the relationship between power, representation, and identity.