Portret van Lodewijk V 1600 - 1676

This engraving of Lodewijk V was made by Frederik Bouttats, a Flemish printmaker active in the 17th century. It presents us with a stylized image of a medieval monarch, complete with crown and heraldic symbols, but it’s more than just a historical portrait. Made in the Netherlands during the Dutch Golden Age, this print reflects the intense interest in history and genealogy that characterized the period. The detailed inscriptions, in Latin and French, reveal a culture deeply invested in tracing lines of power and legitimacy. Bouttats likely intended to provide a visual representation of power, emphasizing the subject's noble lineage and right to rule. This image and others like it can be contextualized through the study of period publications, genealogical records, and institutional archives. It offers a glimpse into the way the past was understood and used to legitimize contemporary social and political structures.