Generaal Maspero en Italiaanse manschappen bij de ingang van een loopgraaf aan het front in de Dolomieten 1916

This photograph by Henri de Rothschild captures General Maspero and Italian troops at a trench entrance in the Dolomites. The image is dominated by the stark, almost theatrical presence of military figures draped in cloaks. The cloak—a symbol of authority and concealment—echoes back to ancient Roman leaders and Renaissance nobility. Here, it drapes over the soldiers, offering protection from the harsh elements but also projecting an aura of power. Think of how the cloak appears in portraits of emperors, signaling strength and status. This motif recurs throughout history, shifting from signs of regal power to military might. Consider the emotional weight of these garments: They shield the body, yet, in doing so, evoke feelings of vulnerability and the looming shadow of conflict. The collective memory of such symbols stirs deep within us, reminding us of humanity's complex dance with power and protection. It is a psychological armor, worn both outwardly and within.