Man met snor in militair uniform before 1898

Heinrich Krabbé sketched this military man with ink on paper. The subject is adorned in military regalia, a uniform bedecked with frogging and multiple medals, symbols of authority and valor. The uniform itself is a powerful signifier, harkening back to ancient Roman armor, while also anticipating the sleek, functional designs of modern military dress. Consider the evolution of these motifs: the eagle, emblem of Roman legions, reappears on Napoleonic standards and Nazi insignia, each time adapted to project new ideologies of power and dominance. The medals, too, serve as visual reminders of sacrifice and heroism, akin to ancient votive offerings, intended to appease the gods or memorialize victories. Yet, how do these symbols shift in meaning over time? Once emblems of honor, they may become potent symbols of a past order, carrying with them the weight of history, and engaging our collective memory and subconscious understanding of military prowess.