Wapentrofee 1778

Etienne Claude Voysard created this print, Wapentrofee, an etching and engraving, in the late eighteenth century. Voysard lived during a time of aristocratic power, before, during and after the French Revolution. This allegorical piece, composed of weapons and flags, conveys the social and political values of the era, as well as a celebration of military achievement, evoking notions of masculinity, power, and national pride. It maintains a traditional representation of military might. The rigid arrangement of weapons and flags, alongside the inclusion of a helmeted figure, evokes ideas of strength and control, with a laurel symbolizing victory. The artwork acts as a mirror, reflecting society's deep-seated reverence for military strength, whilst simultaneously acting as a reminder of how conflict and conquest can be romanticized.