Wapentrofee in vorm van cartouche before 1667

Jean Lepautre created this cartouche-shaped coat of arms using etching, a process that dates back to the 16th century. Lepautre was the son of a royal gardener in the court of Louis XIII, so his life was entrenched in structures of power. The print displays a battle scene, a traditional and martial representation of power, framed by classical cherubic figures. A jumble of weapons and armor fill the composition. Cartouches like this would have been hung as symbolic trophies of power, usually for aristocratic families that were gaining influence. Lepautre’s work presents conventional and unquestioning scenes of hierarchy and violence. As such it's worth considering how these images normalized and glorified conflict. Consider the personal implications for those living under the weight of these symbols and the political regimes they uphold.