Flankeur in grote tenue, 1820-1825 1825 - 1827

A. Courtois produced this print, Flankeur in grote tenue, between 1820 and 1825. The composition presents a striking array of linear forms arranged to direct the viewer's eye across the scene. Notice how Courtois uses color to distinguish the foreground from the background. The sharp, saturated blues and whites of the soldier in focus give way to the muted tones of the troops behind him. The soldier, centered in the foreground, draws the viewer's attention, while the background figures establish depth. Consider the symbolic resonance of this structured presentation. The artist creates a semiotic system where color and clarity denote importance, hierarchy, and order within the military context. The linearity and precision in the depiction of the soldiers’ uniforms and weapons suggest a culture of strict discipline. Courtois compels us to consider how the formalism of art can reflect and reinforce cultural values.