Portret van Claude Berbier du Metz 1666 - 1707

Gérard Edelinck created this engraving of Claude Berbier du Metz at an unknown date. Edelinck, working in the milieu of the French Royal court, would have been keenly aware of the power dynamics of his time. In this portrait, Claude Berbier du Metz, a Lieutenant General, is depicted with the accoutrements of power: armor, elaborate wig, and a regal bearing. However, the absence of one eye tells a different story, one of battles fought and scars earned. This missing eye creates a tension, disrupting the otherwise conventional representation of a military leader. While portraits of the era often served to aggrandize the sitter, here, there's a vulnerability that complicates the narrative of power. The portrait becomes more than just a display of status; it's a testament to the personal costs of war and the marks left on individuals who served. It invites us to consider the emotional and physical toll behind the polished facade of military glory.