Paneelvulling met schild, harnas, zwaarden en helmen 1762 - 1777

Etienne de Lavallée-Poussin created this panel filling with shield, armor, swords, and helmets. These symbols of war evoke an era when honor and military prowess were paramount. The shield, the helmet, and the swords, are not merely instruments of battle, but potent emblems of defense, courage, and martial skill. We see such symbols echoed throughout history—from the shields of Roman legions to the swords of medieval knights. Consider the recurring motif of the sword. In ancient times, it symbolized power and authority, as seen in depictions of emperors and gods wielding swords as signs of their dominion. In medieval art, the sword became a symbol of chivalry, justice, and divine authority, often seen in depictions of warrior saints. The collective memory of these associations imbues the symbols with a psychological weight that transcends time. Such enduring motifs reveal how cultural memory shapes our perception of power, protection, and the eternal dance between conflict and resolution.