Gipsmodel voor een wapenschild op het Palais du Louvre c. 1855 - 1857

This is Edouard Baldus's photograph of a plaster model for a coat of arms at the Palais du Louvre. At its heart, this heraldic design is a powerful display of symbols, reflecting not just identity but aspirations of power. Consider the cornucopia, overflowing with nature’s bounty, a symbol echoing through ancient Greek and Roman art. It represents abundance and prosperity, and here it conveys France’s aspiration of richness. In contrast to this, the flags are draped across the shield, evoking a sense of national pride. But note how these symbols shift over time. The cornucopia, once linked to Ceres and Fortuna, goddesses of plenty, evolves into a secular emblem of national wealth. These symbols are powerful forces engaging viewers on a deep, subconscious level, embodying cultural memory and collective desires. The coat of arms, with its collection of chosen symbols, has gone through a cyclical progression, resurfacing, evolving, and acquiring new meanings, each time reflecting the changing values and ambitions of those who display it.