Zouaven / Zouaves 1833 - 1911

This print by Brepols & Dierckx zoon presents a grid of figures, each a variation on the theme of the Zouave soldier, rendered with flat colors and crisp outlines. The repetition creates a sense of rhythm, almost like a marching band caught in a still frame. Notice how the composition plays with symmetry and asymmetry. Most figures stand rigidly, holding rifles, while others are caught in moments of action—blowing a horn or adopting slightly different stances. The limited palette of red, blue, and gold flattens the forms, emphasizing the graphic quality over realistic representation. The print also uses a semiotic system of signs—the uniform, the weapons—to convey ideas of military order and colonial power. Yet, the subtle variations and the almost cartoonish rendering of the figures introduce a playful element that destabilizes any straightforward reading. The overall effect is one of stylized representation, where the formal qualities of line, color, and composition take precedence over narrative depth. It is not just a portrayal of soldiers, but an exploration of form and pattern within a structured grid.