17de-eeuws harnas met zwaard uit het leger van Lodewijk XIII van Frankrijk, uit de collectie van het Musée d'Artillerie in Parijs before 1882

This photograph captures a 17th-century armor set and sword from the army of Louis XIII of France, originally part of the Musée d'Artillerie collection in Paris. The identity of the artisan who crafted this armor remains anonymous. Consider the power dynamics inherent in such a display of military regalia. Armor was not just protection; it was a statement of wealth, status, and authority during a period defined by social hierarchy and constant conflict. This armor represents the absolute power wielded by Louis XIII and the aristocratic military class. It also silently speaks to the countless unacknowledged lives, sacrifices, and labors upon which such displays of power were built. The artisan who forged this armor was crucial, yet they remain unknown. It invites us to reflect on how historical narratives are constructed, often highlighting the powerful while obscuring the contributions and stories of those who made such power possible.