Nieuwe exercitie 1847

Rombertus Julianus van Arum made this drawing called ‘Nieuwe exercitie.’ Here, we see two military men, rendered with a touch of humor. The umbrella, usually a symbol of protection, here becomes an ironic shield against the "orde van den dag"—the order of the day. The umbrella motif echoes throughout art history; from ancient Near Eastern depictions of royalty sheltered beneath parasols, to Renaissance paintings of the Madonna protected by a canopy, and its evolution into modern advertising where it symbolizes security. Consider how the gesture of adjusting one's hat or helmet has evolved through time. It once signified respect and readiness, and has morphed over centuries into a mundane adjustment. These men seem to engage in a sort of absurdist ritual. The image touches on the psychological undercurrents of military life, the tension between order and chaos, protection and vulnerability, and the constant negotiation of the self within a structured system. The symbols may have evolved and shifted in appearance, but the essence of their interplay remains a potent, cyclical presence in art and culture.