De zwarte vlek 1876 - 1890

This colour print titled 'De Zwarte Vlek' presents a series of vignettes that narrate a story of loss and resilience. Structurally, the composition is divided into multiple frames, each depicting scenes with children and soldiers in uniform. Notice how the artist uses color to distinguish between innocence and duty; the soft pastels of the children's attire contrast with the stark blues and grays of the military figures. The central image of the map of France, repeatedly marked, acts as a visual anchor, emphasizing territory. The map, a signifier of national identity, is symbolically defaced. The action reflects a broader cultural anxiety about borders, territories, and the impact of conflict on collective identity. It highlights the instability of geographical and political constructs, and how these affect individual lives and societal narratives. Through the interplay of color, form, and composition, Michelet destabilizes fixed notions of nationhood, questioning the idea of the map as a stable representation of place.