Trofeeën met schild en medaillon after 1771

"Trofeeën met schild en medaillon" (Trophies with shield and medallion) was created by Pierre François Tardieu, an 18th-century engraver. The print presents an allegorical representation of ecclesiastical power, reflecting the hierarchical structures of the church and state during the artist's lifetime. Here, symbols of religious authority are arranged in decorative trophies. On the left, you can see a shield emblazoned with a dove, a Christian symbol for the Holy Spirit, and an array of weaponry and a crucifix; on the right, a medallion is adorned with vines and religious artifacts. These elements don't just denote power; they also evoke the emotional weight of religious dogma and its pervasive influence on personal identity. Tardieu’s work invites reflection on the intertwining of faith, power, and identity in 18th-century France, where these symbols were tools of both spiritual guidance and social control. The rigid, formal arrangement of objects can be interpreted as a statement on the unyielding nature of religious doctrine.