Portret van Lodewijk XIV 1670 - 1725

Michiel van der Gucht created this portrait of Louis XIV, King of France, using printmaking techniques. The artwork places Louis XIV within a tradition of powerful, masculine European monarchs. The King’s identity is wrapped up in the performance of power. The elaborate wig, the armor, and even the lace are all carefully chosen to convey authority and status. But this image also betrays the contradictions inherent in absolute rule. The King's vulnerability is almost palpable. This portrait raises questions about the relationship between power, identity, and representation. What does it mean to perform masculinity on such a grand scale? How does this image, and others like it, shape our understanding of leadership and authority? Ultimately, this portrait speaks to the ways in which personal identity can become inextricably linked to political power.