Staat der Sterkte van de 8e Afdeeling Infanterie Possibly 1836 - 1839

S. Stulen made this document, "Staat der Sterkte van de 8e Afdeeling Infanterie," using ink on paper. At first glance, it may not seem like a typical artwork, but by looking closely at the materials and process, we can see it in a new light. The ink, likely iron gall ink, has a particular tone and quality, and has bitten into the fibers of the paper. The artist created a table by hand, a laborious task. Each line was carefully ruled, each number and letter meticulously inscribed. There is a kind of beauty in the precision. Consider the social context. This is a military document, about the strength of the 8th Infantry Division. The act of recording, quantifying, and organizing becomes a form of control. Labor, in this case, is directly tied to the military apparatus and the state's power. So, next time you encounter a seemingly mundane document, remember to look closely at the materials, the making, and the context. You might be surprised by what you discover, challenging the traditional boundaries between art and everyday life.