Leden van de orde van het Gouden Schild en hertog Lodewijk II van Bourbon 1729 - 1733

Dominique Sornique made this print, "Leden van de orde van het Gouden Schild en hertog Lodewijk II van Bourbon" sometime in the 18th century, using etching and engraving techniques. It depicts an imagined scene of the Order of the Golden Shield, a chivalric order founded in France in the late 14th century. What strikes me is the way Sornique, working centuries later, interprets this historical event. The print offers a glimpse into the social hierarchies of the time, where membership in such orders was a symbol of power, lineage, and allegiance. The clothing, gestures, and even the presence of a child attendant speak volumes about the performance of status and authority. This image, with its formal and symbolic language, not only illustrates a historical moment but also invites us to reflect on the enduring nature of social structures and the ways in which identity is constructed and displayed. Think about how these historical displays of power echo or differ from contemporary forms of social signalling that you see today.