Spotprent op generaal d'Alton 1787 - 1790

This anonymous print portrays General d'Alton and was crafted using etching techniques, presenting us with a narrative scene dominated by linear forms and contrasting values. The composition unfolds in a series of sharply defined vignettes. The stark contrast between the foreground and background creates a sense of depth, while the repetition of forms—barrels, soldiers, and architectural elements—establishes a visual rhythm. This rhythm however is uneasy, perhaps unsettlingly alluding to the repetitious and brutal nature of military operations. The artist uses line and form to articulate a critical perspective on authority and power. The arrangement of elements within the picture plane suggests a semiotic system at play; where each component acts as a signifier. The barrel could symbolize exploitation, the soldiers representing oppressive force, and the landscape itself, a territory under duress. This print challenges the heroic narratives of military leaders. It invites us to reconsider the values and structures that underpin social order.