Louis, Chevalier de Toussard 1900

Max Rosenthal created this portrait of Louis, Chevalier de Toussard. Note the visual language surrounding the portrait, each carrying its own weight of meaning. The oak leaves around the central image speak of strength and endurance, echoing symbols of power from ancient Greece and Rome. Below, the cannon is emblazoned, a symbol of military might. Beside it sits a shield marked with stars and stripes, hinting at the burgeoning American national identity. And we cannot forget the fleur-de-lis, a symbol of French royalty and heritage. Consider the cannon. It evokes not just power but also destruction, a duality that has echoed through art since antiquity. We see it in Goya's stark depictions of war and in countless battle scenes across centuries, reminding us that progress and devastation are often intertwined. Rosenthal’s work engages with the symbols of national identity, evoking powerful subconscious responses tied to collective memory. This complex interplay shows how symbols can become potent carriers of history.