Het militair muzijk dat het gehoor steeds streelt / Is hier met al zijn glans natuurlijk afgebeeld 1831 - 1854

This print by Erve H. Rynders depicts a military band, likely made to celebrate or commemorate the sonic power of military music. Note how the figures stand rigidly, their instruments held aloft, and how the horses prance, all communicating the pomp of military processions. Music, especially in a military context, becomes a potent symbol of order, power, and collective identity. Consider the drums, which have ancient roots as instruments of war, signaling movements, and instilling courage, now adapted to a modernizing army. In earlier times, the blare of trumpets in battle was believed to incite bravery. The gestures and instruments serve not just a functional purpose but also tap into a deep, primal response, stirring feelings of patriotism, even aggression. The ordered rows of musicians and soldiers, the synchronicity of their movements, create a visual rhythm that mirrors the auditory experience. This synchronization appeals to our inherent desire for structure, turning martial music into a powerful tool of emotional and psychological manipulation. The martial drumbeat has resurfaced in diverse contexts throughout history, transformed from a tribal call to arms to an anthem of national pride, evolving in meaning, yet retaining its visceral impact.