Portret van Louis Auguste de Bourbon, hertog van Maine 1696 - 1727

This is Matthijs Pool's rendering of Louis Auguste de Bourbon, Duc de Maine. Note the Duke's armor, a symbol of strength, protection, and status. But let us look deeper! The portrayal of nobility in armor carries echoes of the classical hero, linking the subject to ideals of courage and leadership. Think of Roman emperors depicted in their military regalia – the gesture is similar, but the meaning shifts. Here, the armor serves less as a practical defense and more as a symbolic claim to power. The image of a leader in armor has ancient roots, it can be traced back to ancient Greece and Rome. This motif has transformed over centuries, but its core association with power, authority, and martial prowess remains, revealing how visual symbols persist, evolve, and engage our collective memory.