De fanatiekelingen, 1828 1828

"De Fanatiekelingen" (The Zealots) is a satirical print created by Jean-Louis Van Hemelryck in 1828. The print depicts four soldiers, with an officer in the foreground giving an order. The soldiers, portrayed in a caricatured manner, appear to be paying attention to a fly or something else out of frame, ignoring the officer's instruction. The work is a critique of military discipline, highlighting the absurdity of blind obedience and highlighting the tendency for individuals to be distracted by trivial matters. The print is executed in a black and white style, common for satirical prints of the time.