Flankeur der Infanterie 1835 - 1850

Albertus Verhoesen made this print of a foot soldier, or Flankeur der Infanterie, at an unknown date. The print shows the soldier standing at attention, in what seems like a studio setting, complete with theatrical backdrop. The emphasis here is less on the individual than on the military apparatus to which he belongs. Uniforms and weapons play a key role in projecting an image of power. This was a time when the Netherlands was struggling to establish its national identity amid shifting European power dynamics. Prints like this helped to visualize and promote the military as a symbol of national pride and strength. To better understand the print, one could delve into military archives or research the history of Dutch nationalism. Each artwork has a story to tell, if we look closely at its social and institutional context.