Portret van Friedrich Arnaud hertog van Schomberg 1737 - 1739

This is Jacob Houbraken's portrait of Friedrich Arnaud, Duke of Schomberg. It depicts a man in armor, framed within an oval border, and below him, a battle scene complete with weapons. Armor, throughout art history, carries more than just a protective function. In antiquity, gods and heroes were often depicted in elaborate armor, symbolizing invincibility and divine favor. The battle scene itself, reminiscent of scenes from ancient Roman triumphs, elevates Schomberg to a figure of historical and almost mythical importance, akin to the heroes of old. This theme reverberates through time, echoing in Renaissance and Baroque art, where leaders are portrayed as embodiments of strength and virtue. Yet, such displays of power also invite scrutiny, revealing the cyclical nature of history. The glorification of warfare inevitably carries the seeds of its own critique, with the same symbols of strength and triumph also representing the potential for conflict and destruction.