Charles Maurice Le Tellier, Archbishop of Reims 1705

Curator: This print captures Charles Maurice Le Tellier, Archbishop of Reims. Claude Duflos, who lived from 1665 to 1727, rendered this image, which measures approximately 40 by 32 centimeters. Editor: It's striking how somber this image feels. The tight framing and muted tones really emphasize a sense of solemn authority. Curator: Indeed. Consider the production of prints like these; they democratized portraiture, allowing for a wider circulation of images of power and influence, influencing social hierarchies through visual representation. Editor: And the symbols – the starburst emblem, the inscription encircling the portrait – all reinforce his status, speaking to a complex web of religious and aristocratic power. The weight of the church made manifest. Curator: Precisely, and understanding the materiality, how these were produced in multiples, is crucial to grasp the impact of such imagery on shaping public perception during that era. Editor: It leaves one pondering how symbols transcend their original context, continuing to evoke similar feelings of reverence even today. Curator: A testament to the lasting power of visual culture and the material conditions that give it form.