Soldaat staat model voor schilder in zijn atelier c. 1830

Michel Mourot created this print, ‘Soldier Stands Model for Painter in His Studio,’ sometime in the first half of the 19th century. It depicts a painter’s studio, with plaster casts and portraits on the walls. An artist sits at his easel, palette in hand, while a soldier with a rifle stands rigidly to attention. The print offers a glimpse into the world of the 19th century art academy. It was a world steeped in tradition and hierarchy, where students copied plaster casts of classical sculptures before advancing to life drawing. Here, the soldier’s presence introduces a discordant note, hinting at the growing influence of the military and the state on artistic production. The text beneath the image reinforces the message: "Schildenaar, wil je me eens uitschrijven?" translates as "Painter, will you sign me out?". To understand this print better, we might look at the history of art academies and the changing role of the artist in the 19th century. What was the relationship between art and the state at this time? What role did art play in shaping national identity? Answers to these questions lie in archives, historical documents, and critical texts.