Lust voor een beroep 1876 - 1890

This playful print by Michelet presents scenes of military life. Dominating this array are the figures of soldiers, their uniforms emblazoned with symbolic meaning, a language of power and status. Consider the rifle, repeated throughout; it is not merely a weapon but a symbol of authority, and also, of the ever-present threat of violence. Such symbols echo through time: the Roman gladius, the medieval broadsword, all carrying a similar weight of martial might. But what happens when the tools of war are seen through the eyes of play? Here, we see how the grim realities of military service may evoke feelings of excitement and adventure. The image stirs deep within us, tapping into primal notions of order and strength. These archetypes recur across cultures, adapting to new contexts, revealing the enduring human fascination with authority, duty, and the eternal dance between order and chaos.