Artillerie légère 1827 - 1894

M. Hemeleers-van Houter’s ‘Artillerie légère’ captures scenes of light artillery, brought to life with a playful, almost childlike simplicity. The most striking symbol is the horse-drawn carriage, an emblem of power and progress, yet here it's rendered with an almost dreamlike naivety. This motif of horses pulling vehicles echoes through time, from the Roman chariots symbolizing triumph and domination to Cinderella’s pumpkin carriage, signifying transformation. In each instance, the carriage encapsulates a journey, a movement from one state to another. The crude, bold coloring adds another layer. It is almost as if a child has colored in the illustration. It evokes a sense of memory and the past, like a faded dream. This triggers a powerful emotional response, connecting us to the raw, unformed emotions of our childhood selves. It suggests an exploration of how we perceive and remember historical events. It's a potent reminder of how the past is continually reinterpreted and imbued with new meaning.