Optrekkende soldaten te paard 1620 - 1664

This is an anonymous print depicting soldiers on horseback. The image offers us a glimpse into the world of military life. In the early modern period the image of the soldier was one of the first forms of mass media. The print medium allowed the distribution of images, which played a crucial role in shaping public perception. This particular print, with its depiction of soldiers, likely served to communicate power and project authority. I wonder about the experiences of the anonymous artist who created this image. Were they commissioned to produce propaganda? Or, were they simply capturing a scene from everyday life? The absence of a known creator complicates our understanding but also invites us to consider the role of the unacknowledged voices in shaping history. The landscape in the distance offers a sense of space, while the soldiers in the foreground command our attention. They remind us of the human stories behind grand historical narratives.