Macron, le grand narcissist: From Putin-style topless holiday shots to Raging ... trends now

In an age of social media where every flex and flicker is meticulously curated, Emmanuel Macron appears committed to perfecting the art of visual rhetoric. 

His personal photographer Soazing de la Moissonnière caused quite a stir in France earlier this week when he released two images depicting the French President pounding a punchbag.

With his face a picture of steely resolve as chiselled biceps rippled from beneath his shirt, the black-and-white shots of Macron were received as a display of 'ultimate virility' according to French newspaper Nice-Matin. 

Many posited that the projection of machismo and strength comes as part of a PR offensive as the French President takes a harder stance on the Russia-Ukraine war, with Macron having paused longstanding efforts to maintain a closer bond with his counterpart in Moscow Vladimir Putin. 

But in reality, Macron's pugilistic photo-op is just the latest in a years-long campaign of staged shoots designed to portray the Elysee Palace chief as a dashing, capable and admirable representative of France and her interests. 

It's a self-aggrandising PR play that appears to have been ripped directly from the playbook of Putin himself - perhaps the world leader most adept at deploying the power of persona to cultivate domestic support.

Now, MailOnline takes a look at some of Macron's most narcissistic snaps, distributed by his personal lensman and army of press officers, and how they're harnessed to cultivate his image in the eyes of the French public.