Kurassier naast zijn paard 1851 - 1870

Bernard Romain Julien made this lithograph, "Kurassier naast zijn paard", in France, during the mid-19th century. The image depicts a cuirassier, a type of cavalry soldier, standing next to his horse. Consider the role of the military in French society at this time. Following the Napoleonic era, military service was seen as a path to social mobility and national pride. This print romanticizes that notion, showing a handsome soldier in his shining armour. The social conditions that shaped this image include the rise of print culture. Lithographs like these were relatively inexpensive and were a popular way to disseminate images and ideas to a wider audience. They helped to promote the image of the military hero and reinforce the values of patriotism and social order. Historians can use a variety of sources, such as military records, popular literature, and other visual representations, to understand the complex relationship between art, society, and the military.