Portret van Louis Henri de La Tour d'Auvergne 1739

This print portrays Louis Henri de La Tour d'Auvergne, and was made by Georg Friedrich Schmidt in the 18th century. We see La Tour d'Auvergne depicted in armour, holding a baton, with a battle raging in the background. This image creates meaning through visual codes typical of the period. The armour, baton, and battle scene all speak to La Tour d'Auvergne's military prowess. In 18th century France, the aristocracy held significant power, and military service was a key avenue for social advancement. A portrait like this would serve to reinforce La Tour d'Auvergne's status and legitimacy within that social hierarchy. The Rijksmuseum, like many national museums, plays a role in shaping and preserving cultural memory. Understanding this artwork better requires historical research into the French aristocracy, military history, and the role of portraiture in constructing social identity. The meaning of art is always contingent on its social and institutional context, and it's the historian's role to illuminate those connections.