Leger trekt bergafwaarts in rotsachtig landschap 1692 - 1714

Thomas Doesburgh created this print of an army descending a mountain in a rocky landscape. The image presents a military scene, a common subject in Dutch art due to the Netherlands' frequent involvement in wars. Made during a time of social stratification, military service provided opportunities for advancement, with the army becoming an institution that could reshape social hierarchies. Depicting an army on the move, Doesburgh’s print is thus likely referencing the political and social dynamics of his time. Analyzing Doesburgh’s work, we might ask what this image is telling us about attitudes towards military institutions. To address that question, we can look at other artworks or historical documents from the period, piecing together the complex relationships between art, society, and politics.