Giving the Orders 

Emil Hünten's painting, "Giving the Orders," captures a moment of command amidst the theater of war. Hünten, born in Paris, and having served as a war artist himself, conveys the drama and tension inherent in military leadership. Consider how the figures on horseback dominate the foreground, their elevated position symbolizing authority and control. The central figure, with his outstretched arm, directs the movement of troops into the field of battle, reminding us of the power dynamics at play in times of conflict. Reflect on the human cost of such decisions, as soldiers march forward, their faces obscured, their individual identities subsumed by the collective effort. Hünten presents a traditionally masculine view of war and leadership that was common at the time it was painted. Ask yourself, what alternative narratives about war might be missing from this image? Perhaps those of women, civilians, or the conquered? As you reflect on this painting, consider the many stories that remain untold.