Decoratief kader met militair thema 1891

Auguste Danse created this decorative frame with a military theme in 1891. The print, now in the Rijksmuseum, offers a glimpse into the visual culture of late 19th-century Europe. The allegorical figures, classical motifs, and military symbols speak to the period’s fascination with both ancient empires and contemporary national power. Made in Belgium, this artwork reflects the country’s complex position at the time: a relatively new nation-state, caught between larger European powers, yet eager to assert its own identity through the arts. We see the glorification of military strength as a visual language which served to legitimize state power. To fully understand the image’s meaning, we can investigate archival sources like military records, patriotic pamphlets, and exhibition catalogues. We can consider how the print might have functioned within the institutional landscape of art at the time, and how it reinforced or challenged the existing social norms and political dynamics.