Cartouche met harnas 1658 - 1719

"Cartouche met harnas" (Cartouche with Armor) is an etching by Nicolas Guérard, created between 1658 and 1719, and is currently housed in the Rijksmuseum. This elaborate decorative design showcases Guérard's skill in etching. The central motif is a cartouche, a decorative shield-like shape, adorned with a figure in armor surrounded by flags. The cartouche is flanked by figures, one blowing a trumpet and the other holding a shield, demonstrating the artist's attention to detail and the use of symmetry in creating the design. The image is also a testament to the popularity of military imagery in art during this period.