Portret van Karel VII, koning van Frankrijk 1642 - 1678

This print of Charles VII, King of France was made by Nicolas de Larmessin, sometime in the 17th century. Larmessin was from a dynasty of engravers who gained prominence creating portraits of the French aristocracy. Consider the role of portraiture in solidifying power during this time. How were images of nobility tools of propaganda, designed to project authority and legitimacy? Charles's representation in full armor, framed by an ornate oval, certainly speaks to the visual language of power. The text surrounding the image, while difficult to read, contributes to a carefully constructed narrative of sovereignty. What does it mean to depict a 15th-century monarch through the lens of the 17th century? Larmessin wasn't just creating a likeness; he was actively shaping historical memory. Think about the choices made in this depiction, and what they tell us about the values and ideals of Larmessin's time. Consider how this image might have been received and understood by different audiences within French society.