Namen van Zweedse militairen c. 1845 - 1848

This page of signatures by Christian Heinrich Gottlieb Steuerwald is undated, but likely from the mid-19th century, a period defined by shifting national identities and burgeoning bureaucratic systems. Steuerwald, born in Estonia, worked as a teacher in what is now St. Petersburg, and seems to have collected these signatures during his time there. The various languages on display – French, Swedish, German, in addition to what appears to be the artist's native Estonian – speak to the multilingualism of the Baltic aristocracy and merchant classes at the time. The names themselves suggest a network of military men, likely Swedish, and the comments are lighthearted, offering compliments and well wishes. What can a collection of signatures tell us about the relationship between an artist, his community, and larger political forces? In a world where identity was so closely linked to language, class, and military service, what does it mean to declare oneself through the simple act of signing your name?