Recruits Going to Join the Regiment 1717 - 1726

"Recruits Going to Join the Regiment" (1717-1726) is an etching by French artist Henri Simon Thomassin. Depicting a group of men on foot and horseback, it offers a glimpse into the realities of 18th-century French military life. The artist captures the scene with detail, highlighting the tired and determined expressions of the recruits, contrasting with the confident bearing of the mounted officer. This piece exemplifies the genre of social commentary through satire, highlighting the hardships faced by those conscripted into military service. This print, currently housed in the Art Institute of Chicago, offers a unique insight into the social landscape of the time.