Uniformen van het Amsterdamse exercitiegenootschap in 1787 1795 - 1796

S.G. Casten created this image of the 'Uniforms of the Amsterdam Exercise Society in 1787' using watercolor and ink. The symmetry of the three figures' arrangement immediately strikes the eye, creating a rhythmic cadence across the composition. The eye is drawn to the stark contrast between the dark blue uniforms and the open space of the light background. This contrast defines the forms of the soldiers, and the bold outlines emphasize their presence. Their arrangement is structured; they could easily be interpreted as signs of a group with a clear, shared objective. Note how the artist has used the visual language of military attire—the hats, coats, and weaponry—to communicate notions of order, discipline, and readiness. Yet the handwritten inscription adds another layer, suggesting a tension between representation and reality, signifier and signified. This interplay invites reflection on the semiotics of power, representation, and the construction of collective identity during a pivotal time.