Bereden artillerie op de Grote Markt te Bergen op Zoom 1892

Karel Alexander Enklaar made this photograph, titled "Bereden artillerie op de Grote Markt te Bergen op Zoom", some time in the late 19th or early 20th century. It shows a Dutch artillery unit on horseback, posed in a town square. The photograph offers a glimpse into the culture of the Netherlands at this time. The Dutch army played an important role in both defending the country and maintaining its colonial empire in the East Indies. This parade could have been staged as a show of force designed to inspire patriotic sentiment in the local population. Institutional histories are important here too: this image could be interpreted in light of Enklaar's personal relationship to the army, and the history of military parades in the Netherlands. By looking at resources such as military records, newspapers, and local archives, we can gain a better understanding of the social and political context in which this photograph was made.