Portret van Jean-Baptiste de la Quintinie c. 1647 - 1696

Adriaen Haelwegh created this portrait of Jean-Baptiste de la Quintinie using engraving, a printmaking technique, in the 17th or 18th century. De la Quintinie was the royal gardener under Louis XIV. This era was marked by a rigid social hierarchy and the construction of national identities, often symbolized through the extravagant displays of wealth and power by the monarchy and aristocracy. De la Quintinie was a rare commoner who gained access to the highest echelons of French society. His expertise in horticulture allowed him to participate in, and in many ways shape, the visual representation of the King’s power. The elaborate wig worn by de la Quintinie speaks to the performative aspects of identity during this time. The visual language of clothing and hair was carefully constructed to convey status and allegiance to the court. In a society defined by visible markers of class, the portrait becomes an important statement of identity and aspiration.