15de-eeuws harnas met kruisboog en schild uit het leger van Karel VII van Frankrijk, uit de collectie van het Musée d'Artillerie in Parijs before 1882

This is a photograph of 15th-century armour with a crossbow and shield, originating from the army of Charles VII of France. The photograph captures the stark, metallic presence of the armour, composed of smooth, interconnected plates, contrasted against the patterned surface of the shield. The photograph manipulates light and shadow to accentuate the form of the objects, creating depth and texture. The uniform and shield offer a visual study in semiotics. The armour, with its emphasis on protection and function, becomes a signifier of power, whilst the heraldic symbols communicate lineage and authority. The very pose of the armour—upright and stoic—conveys a sense of permanence and steadfastness. The image's composition invites reflection on how objects of war can also be objects of art, mediating between violence and cultural identity. This photograph transforms historical artifacts into signs, inviting an ongoing reevaluation of their meaning.