Ponjaard voor adelborsten op het Koninklijk Instituut voor de Marine, 1845 1845

Louis Salomon Leman made this drawing of a dagger for naval officers at the Koninklijk Instituut voor de Marine in 1845. It depicts a beautifully crafted weapon with a scabbard, rendered in precise detail. Naval academies like the Koninklijk Instituut were crucial institutions in the 19th century, training officers to maintain colonial power and trade routes. The dagger, more a symbol of authority than a practical weapon, reflects the social hierarchy and the importance of military prowess in Dutch society. The very act of illustrating and archiving such an object speaks to the institutional interest in documenting and celebrating its instruments of power. By examining archival records, naval histories, and period illustrations, we can begin to understand the cultural values embedded in this image. Art like this helps us understand the relationship between social structures, military institutions, and artistic representation.