15de-eeuws harnas uit het leger van Lodewijk XI van Frankrijk, uit de collectie van het Musée d'Artillerie in Parijs before 1882

This is a photograph of a 15th-century armor from the army of Louis XI of France, originating from the Musée d'Artillerie in Paris. The armor represents not only the military technology of its time, but also the social and political structures of late medieval Europe. Consider how this armor embodies power, status, and identity. The craftmanship reflects the resources and skill commanded by those in authority. The cultural references inherent in its design, such as the crest or symbols, would have communicated allegiance and status. The armor’s presence in a museum setting shifts its meaning. Originally made for the battlefield, it now serves as a historical artifact, open for interpretation. Archival research into Louis XI's reign, the Musée d'Artillerie's history, and the social history of armor production would deepen our understanding. Ultimately, this object reminds us that the meaning of art and artifacts is shaped by their ever-changing social and institutional context.