Trommel en twee blaasinstrumenten before 1828

Pierre Félix van Doren rendered this drawing of a drum and two wind instruments with graphite. Van Doren lived through a tumultuous period in European history, including the Napoleonic Wars and the rise of nationalism. Musical instruments, especially those associated with the military, held significant cultural and symbolic importance in the 19th century. They were emblems of national identity, military might, and communal expression. Here, the grouping of a drum and wind instruments seems to harken to a heritage of military music, as those were used to rally troops, and also to express community and belonging. Consider the role of music in shaping the national and cultural identities of the time. While this drawing is seemingly simple, it may hint at deeper issues of identity, power, and social cohesion during a period of great social and political upheaval.