In a field school of the Wallenstein camp 1868

Adolf Eberle made this illustration of a field school in Wallenstein’s camp. Here, the artist invites us to consider the social world of military life and the experience of children within it. The image constructs meaning through contrasting visual cues. On the one hand, there is a ramshackle school tent filled with children, books, and a schoolmaster who seems to be in mid-lecture. And then we notice the camp bed, the armed soldiers, and other figures, as well as the child slumped on the ground who is not attending school, indicating the presence of the world of war. Eberle was born in Germany in 1843, and his artworks often reflect the social realities and values of his time, specifically his interest in the lives of ordinary people. This image suggests his interest in the lives of ordinary people affected by war. To understand this illustration better, one might want to research the history of military life in the 19th century and the social impact of war in Germany. Considering the artist's social context helps to reveal the meanings and values that inform such images.