De norske troppers bivouacquering under prints Christian Augusts anförsel i seeneste krig med Sverrig, 1808 19th century

Niels Truslew created this print, “The Norwegian Troops' Bivouac under the Command of Prince Christian August during the Recent War with Sweden, 1808,” employing etching and engraving techniques. The print offers insight into early 19th-century military life during the Napoleonic Wars, and especially the brief war between Sweden and Norway. Here, we see not just a depiction of the conflict, but a commentary on Norwegian identity. Consider how the artist portrays the troops, gathered around the fire, against the backdrop of a stark, Nordic landscape. Note how a church and gallows stand prominently in the background, indicating that the community and its social structures are at stake. The composition invites us to question the narratives of heroism and sacrifice in warfare. We can consider how the print engages with the then-contemporary political movements advocating for national sovereignty. Research into military history, and studies of print culture can help us better understand the significance of this image.