Soldaat houdt een deur tegen van waarachter de vijand op zijn compagnon schiet 1876

Pierre Jacques Dierckx created this print, "Soldier Holds a Door Against the Enemy Shooting at His Comrade," which captures a raw and intimate moment amidst the chaos of battle. Dierckx, living through the late 19th and early 20th centuries, was deeply influenced by the political upheavals and military conflicts of his time. Here, we see a soldier, possibly of African descent given his darker complexion, heroically bracing a door while his comrade lies fallen nearby. Dierckx disrupts traditional war narratives by focusing on the intertwined themes of camaraderie, sacrifice, and the human cost of conflict. The vulnerability of the fallen soldier juxtaposed with the active resistance of his comrade speaks to the complex racial dynamics within military structures, where solidarity and shared peril cut across racial lines. The intensity of the moment is palpable; Dierckx masterfully conveys the soldier’s resolve. This image serves as a poignant reminder of the diverse individuals who bear the burdens of war, challenging us to consider whose stories are often left untold.