Portret van Paul Godet des Marais 1708

This is Pierre Simon's portrait of Paul Godet des Marais, created sometime between 1640 and 1710 using engraving techniques. During this period, powerful men like Paul Godet des Marais, who rose to become the Bishop of Chartres, often had their portraits made to project an image of authority, piety, and status. Godet des Marais's attire, complete with the prominent cross, signifies his religious position and alignment with the Catholic Church, a powerful institution that shaped many aspects of European society, culture, and politics. However, these portraits are often one-sided, obscuring the complex intersectional realities of the sitters. Pierre Simon's image, for example, doesn't reflect the tensions of the time, marked by conflicts between religious institutions, social classes, and emerging enlightenment ideals. These works offer us glimpses into the past, but it's up to us to consider the broader context in which they were made. This portrait encourages us to reflect on the interplay between power, identity, and representation in art.