Trofeeën met schild en trommel after 1771

This print, made by Pierre François Tardieu in Paris in the 18th century, presents us with two arrangements of military trophies, meticulously rendered through engraving. The process begins with a metal plate, likely copper, carefully incised with lines to hold ink. The pressure of the printing press would then transfer the image onto paper, resulting in the crisp lines and intricate details we see here. Look closely and you'll see a collection of shields, drums, weapons, and banners, each carefully depicted with a remarkable level of detail. The choice of engraving, a technique demanding precision and skill, adds to the overall sense of order and control. But consider the social context: these martial symbols glorify warfare, yet the print itself is a product of skilled labor, a craft far removed from the battlefield. It’s a reminder that even celebrations of power are made possible by human hands, working diligently behind the scenes.