Militair kamp en bevoorrading 1731 - 1770

Antoine Benoist created this print of a military camp and its supplies sometime in the mid-18th century. The image depicts a large ensemble of soldiers, animals, and wagons, busily working within a vast landscape. This image gives us a glimpse into the logistical demands of warfare in that era. Look at the way Benoist renders the activity of the camp. He pays attention to the figures, the supplies and the geographic context. Made in the Dutch Republic, a relatively small nation that had nonetheless amassed extensive holdings through military force and mercantile enterprise. The print may well subtly celebrate Dutch military prowess, suggesting the great complexity of organisation which allowed the country to exert control over far-flung territories. Military and economic institutions depended upon each other in this period. Examining maps, military records, and economic data from the period could clarify our understanding of the artwork and its historical significance. This, in turn, helps us to understand the intertwined nature of Dutch power.