Portret van Anne de Rohan-Guéméné 1643 - 1676

Francois de Poilly made this portrait of Anne de Rohan-Guéméné using engraving, sometime in the second half of the 17th century. This print gives us a strong sense of the display and performance of aristocratic power in France at the time. Look closely and you’ll see that the portrait is framed by allegorical figures, heraldic symbols, and putti. The visual codes of royalty are everywhere. The composition doesn’t just depict Anne; it elevates her, aligning her with classical virtues and dynastic authority. It is important to remember that this image circulated within a specific institutional context – that of the French court and its associated print culture. The production and distribution of such images were carefully managed to reinforce social hierarchies. The historian would consider the role of the printmaker, the patronage system, and the intended audience in understanding how this image functioned as a form of social communication. By studying such artworks, we gain insight into the politics of imagery and the social conditions that shaped artistic production.