Portret van Ulrich van Löwendal 1787

This is L. Roger's portrait of Ulrich van Löwendal. The symbols of power are immediately evident: Löwendal is clad in armor, a visual shorthand for military prowess. The fur stole and the blue sash allude to the aristocratic status and nobility of the depicted. But consider the armor itself. In antiquity, armor was not merely protection; it was a costume of war, designed to inspire awe and terror. Think of classical statues showing emperors in full military regalia, or even the medieval knights in shining armor—these images resonate across centuries. There's a psychological element to this display, a projection of power. Armor conceals vulnerability while amplifying presence, offering the wearer and the viewer a sense of invincibility. Across time, this imagery evolved, yet it always retains a connection to its primal origins in both the collective memory and the subconscious. Armor, as a symbol, has reappeared throughout history, each time evolving, and each time reminding us of our complex relationship with power, protection, and identity.