The Siege of La Rochelle: Plate 2 - Michael Lasne

A detailed seventeenth-century engraving by Michael Lasne featuring a portrait of King Louis XIII surrounded by military trophies.

This print by Michael Lasne depicts a portrait of King Louis XIII, framed within an elaborate cartouche. The composition is part of a larger series documenting the Siege of La Rochelle, a military conflict occurring between 1627 and 1628. Lasne, a French engraver active during the seventeenth century, demonstrates technical precision in his handling of the burin. The central oval portrait of the monarch is surrounded by military trophies, including crossed pikes, banners, and armour. These elements serve to communicate the authority of the French crown during the period of the Bourbon monarchy.

The engraving style is characteristic of the era, utilising cross-hatching to define the volume of the drapery and the metallic surfaces of the weaponry. The crown positioned above the portrait acts as a symbol of royal sovereignty. The architectural backdrop, suggested by the horizontal lines and structural motifs, provides a formal setting for the central figure. The inclusion of the letters 'I' and 'R' at the upper corners suggests this plate was part of a larger decorative or narrative sequence, likely intended for a publication or a commemorative map of the siege.

Lasne was known for his portraiture and his ability to render complex allegorical arrangements. His work provides a visual record of the political climate in France under the administration of Cardinal Richelieu. The print reflects the aesthetic values of the French Baroque, where order, symmetry, and symbolic representation were prioritised. The clarity of the line work allows for a detailed examination of the period costume, specifically the lace collar and the breastplate worn by the King. This piece is a document of seventeenth-century printmaking, capturing the intersection of military history and royal iconography.