A gentleman with his head turned towards the right in profile, wearing a plumed hat and a cloak with the cross of the Order of the Holy Spirit, holding a whip in his right hand and his left arm in a sling, from "La Jardin de la Noblesse Françoise dans lequel ce peut ceuillir leur maniere de Vettements" 1629

Abraham Bosse created this print of a gentleman wearing a plumed hat and cloak, sometime in the mid-17th century. It comes from a series entitled "The Garden of French Nobility", and such images played a crucial role in codifying and disseminating the visual signs of social class. Note how the figure’s clothing, pose, and surroundings all indicate his status. The cross of the Order of the Holy Spirit marks him as an elite member of French society, while the whip he carries suggests authority. Even his sling hints at a life of action and adventure. The country estate in the background further reinforces the impression of wealth and privilege. These kinds of images are valuable resources for social historians. By studying them alongside other period documents, such as etiquette manuals and fashion plates, we can learn a great deal about the codes and customs of the past. They reveal the values, aspirations, and power dynamics of a particular society.