Portret van Lodewijk XV, koning van Frankrijk 1838 - 1841

Jean-Denis Nargeot created this portrait of Louis XV, King of France, using engraving techniques. Nargeot, born after Louis XV’s reign, reproduces an image of a bygone era, one of absolute monarchy and elaborate courtly life. This portrait, like many of its time, served as propaganda, reinforcing the king's divine right to rule. Note the opulent attire, the regal scepter, and the posture, each element carefully crafted to project power and authority. But the image also invites questions about gender and performance. Louis XV's youthful, almost feminized features complicate the traditional image of masculinity associated with leadership. Engravings like this circulated widely, shaping public perception of the monarchy. They offer a window into the complex interplay of power, representation, and identity in 18th-century France, capturing both the grandeur and the artifice of royal life.