Portret van Lodewijk XIV, koning van Frankrijk 1670 - 1713

Pieter Schenk created this print of Louis XIV, King of France, sometime between 1660 and 1711. Schenk’s portrait offers us a glimpse into the cultural and political construction of the French monarchy. Louis XIV, the ‘Sun King,’ stands here not just as a man, but as an embodiment of absolute power. The visual codes are clear: the armor, the flowing robe, the theatrical wig, all carefully crafted to project an image of strength and authority. Consider the historical context: France at this time was a major European power, and Louis XIV was centralizing control through a carefully cultivated image of royal grandeur. The print also tells us about the institutions that shaped art in this era. Commissioned portraits like these were tools of statecraft, intended to reinforce the king’s legitimacy and project his power. Understanding this image means diving into the archives, looking at court records, political pamphlets, and the writings of the time. Only then can we truly grasp the complex interplay of art, power, and society in the age of Louis XIV.