Soldaat 1822 - 1880

This pencil drawing on paper, entitled 'Soldaat', was made by Reinier Craeyvanger. Craeyvanger sketched this 'Soldaat' or Soldier in the Netherlands in the mid-19th century. The Netherlands had only recently become a kingdom after centuries of domination by other European powers. Military service was compulsory for men, and the army was an important symbol of national identity. The drawing shows a soldier in uniform, lying down with his rifle, as well as sketches of what seem to be cannons. While seemingly innocuous, the image encapsulates the militarization of Dutch society at the time and the government's efforts to create a unified national identity through military service. Art historians can consult military archives, political records, and the artist's biography to better understand the context of this sketch. Art is never made in a vacuum, it is deeply embedded in its specific social and institutional conditions.