Sculptuur van Gaspard de Schomberg 1818 - 1848

Jacopo Bernardi made this drawing of the sculpture of Gaspard de Schomberg sometime between 1808 and 1908. Bernardi situates us within a historical narrative, portraying Schomberg kneeling in prayer, sword at his side, a depiction ripe with the complexities of faith, power, and identity. Gaspard de Schomberg was a Count of Nanteuil, Marshal of France, and a prominent figure in the French court. By portraying him in prayer, Bernardi offers a glimpse into the values and expectations of 19th-century society, where religious piety was often intertwined with noble identity. Yet, the presence of the sword subtly complicates this image of devotion, reminding us of Schomberg's role as a soldier and statesman, a man of action as well as faith. The drawing invites reflection on the relationship between personal belief and public persona, between the individual's inner world and the external demands of society. Bernardi captures a moment of quiet contemplation. What does it mean to see a powerful man humbled in prayer?