Portræt af Arveprinsen af Toscana Johan Gaston, 1671-1737, en face. 1637 - 1737

Rosalba Carriera painted this portrait of Johan Gaston, the Hereditary Prince of Tuscany, sometime around the turn of the 18th century. Here, the armor serves as a stark symbol of power and status, hearkening back to an earlier era when rulers were warriors. Consider how this differs from earlier depictions of armor in classical antiquity where gods and emperors alike donned similar attire to convey invincibility. Yet, even in those times, the psychological effect was the same: the armor transformed the wearer into something more than human, a figure of awe and authority. Across time, this visual language persists. In the Renaissance, armor became ever more ornate, reflecting both martial prowess and courtly refinement. Now, in Carriera's portrait, the armor seems almost ceremonial, perhaps a nod to tradition more than a preparation for battle. It reminds us that the symbols of power—like the collective memory itself—are constantly being reinterpreted and adapted. The Prince’s soft features and slight smile hint at a shifting understanding of leadership, one where diplomacy and culture begin to rival military might.