Oude korporaal met vrouw en kind 1861

Célestin Nanteuil created this print titled 'Oude korporaal met vrouw en kind,' though the exact date is unknown. The stark monochromatic lithograph depicts a corporal, his wife, and child in what appears to be a desolate, war-torn landscape. The figures are centrally composed, drawing our eyes immediately to their expressions of hardship. Nanteuil employs contrasting light and shadow to intensify the emotional weight of the scene, highlighting the textures of their worn garments. The semiotic structure of the artwork suggests a deeper narrative. The broken cartwheel in the foreground and spectral figures in the background signify destruction and loss. Nanteuil utilizes the formal elements of line and form to destabilize traditional heroic depictions of war, presenting instead its human cost. This challenges the viewer to consider the psychological impact of conflict beyond any glory. The print’s formal arrangement underscores a powerful commentary on displacement.