Rustende soldaat 1698 - 1752

Charles Parrocel made this drawing of a resting soldier using pen in the first half of the 18th century. The image depicts a soldier who seems lost in thought, his shield and helmet cast aside, while in the background, other soldiers huddle together. Parrocel lived in a time of almost constant war, with Louis XIV seeking to expand France’s territories. It raises questions about how the military was viewed, and how the reality of war was understood. Was military life a glorious pursuit or a weary burden? The Rijksmuseum collection database might tell us something about the other works by this artist. By looking at the artistic trends, historical context, and institutional setting surrounding Parrocel's work, we can start to understand the social conditions that shaped its creation, as well as its meaning for contemporary audiences.