Soldaat kookt soep bij zijn tent 1834

Nicolas Toussaint Charlet made this print, 'Soldier Cooking Soup by His Tent,' in the first half of the 19th century. The image shows a moment of respite: one soldier casually prepares a meal by the fire while another stands guard. Charlet lived through a period of enormous social upheaval in France, including the Napoleonic era, and the print subtly reveals the artist’s attitude toward this history. During this time, many artists turned their attention to the everyday lives of ordinary people, rather than grand historical narratives. Charlet’s own military background gave him insight into the common soldier’s experience. His art reflects sympathy for their plight. But we can also look to the institutions of art. Where did Charlet exhibit? Who bought his work? What political ideas did they hold? These are the kinds of questions that can help us understand the place of art in a rapidly changing society.