17de-eeuws uniform uit het leger van Lodewijk XIV van Frankrijk, uit de collectie van het Musée d'Artillerie in Parijs before 1882

This is a photograph of a 17th-century uniform from the army of Louis XIV of France, originally from the collection of the Musée d'Artillerie in Paris. The image presents a full view of the uniform, complete with its ornate details and accessories. The high-heeled boots, the sash, the elaborate cuffs, and the feathered hat speak to the visual codes that defined military status and aristocratic power in 17th-century France. Louis XIV, often called the Sun King, centralized power in the monarchy, and the army was a key instrument of his authority. Uniforms like this one weren’t just functional; they projected an image of royal power and martial might. They acted as propaganda, helping to solidify the king’s image and the idea of France as a dominant force in Europe. Understanding such images requires that historians piece together information from diverse sources, including military records, fashion history, and studies of court culture. The study of art like this helps us understand how societies have used images and objects to define power, status, and national identity.