Wapen van de Franse koning in een fragment van de rand om een portret 1738 - 1749

This print by Gabriel Huquier presents fragments of a border design, likely intended to frame a portrait of the French King. The upper fragment features a crown atop a shield, symbols of regal authority. Below, a bull's head emerges, flanked by scrolling foliage. The bull, an ancient symbol, harkens back to early Mesopotamian cultures, representing power and fertility. Yet, here, it is subsumed within the decorative context of the French monarchy. Consider how such symbols migrate across time and space. The crown, the bull – each carries a history, a cultural memory that is both conscious and deeply embedded in our subconscious. The artist engages these powerful visual elements to connect with viewers on a profound level. This echoes the cyclical nature of symbols, resurfacing, evolving, and adapting to new contexts throughout history.