Zwaard van Karel de Grote c. 1876 - 1883

This image of the Sword of Charlemagne was made by Léon Vidal, though we don't have an exact date. Vidal was a master of early photographic techniques, and here he uses them to great effect. Look closely and you can see how the gold leaf on the sword gleams, giving it a sense of richness and importance. The fittings of the sword are covered in gemstones, each one catching the light. These are all signs of the wealth and power it represents. But, of course, a sword is also a tool, and as such is made by expert hands: the goldsmith, the gem cutter, the armorer. This contrast is central to this image: it is both a beautiful object and a symbol of authority, but also the result of countless hours of labor. By focusing on the material qualities of the sword, Vidal reminds us of the human effort involved in its creation.