Nouvel alphabet militaire / Nieuw militaire alphabet 1833 - 1900

This print, called "Nouvel alphabet militaire," or "New Military Alphabet," was made in Belgium, sometime in the 19th century, using a color lithographic process. Prints like this one speak to the complicated relationship between military institutions and the broader culture. Here, the alphabet, the very basis of education and literacy, is taught through the imagery of military life. We see soldiers, cannons, and cavalry, all rendered in a somewhat playful, even childish style. In other words, martial culture is presented to children as fun and educational. We can think of it as an early form of propaganda, designed to normalize and even glorify military service in a time of great social upheaval. As historians, we can look to sources like military journals, school curricula, and popular literature to better understand the role that military institutions played in shaping Belgian society at the time. By examining these materials, we can gain a deeper appreciation for the ways in which art both reflects and shapes our understanding of the world around us.