Militair ontdoet zich van ransel before 1889

Editor: Here we have "Militair ontdoet zich van ransel," or "Soldier taking off his knapsack," a pen-and-ink sketch on paper by Jan Hoynck van Papendrecht, dated before 1889. The detail is remarkable, especially on the uniform. What stories do you see unfolding within this image? Curator: This piece offers a glimpse into the everyday realities of military life in the late 19th century. It is not about glorious battles or heroic feats, but about the simple act of a soldier removing his heavy burden, the knapsack. What can that represent, do you think? Editor: Perhaps the weariness of war? Or the relief, however temporary, from duty? Curator: Exactly. And we can also view it through the lens of social class. Hoynck van Papendrecht often depicted military figures, but not always in a celebratory way. By focusing on the mundane tasks and the physical burdens, he humanizes the soldier, stripping away the romanticized image of war often perpetuated by the elite. What does it say about labour, about who carries the literal weight? Editor: That's fascinating. I hadn't considered the social commentary aspect. The fatigue etched in his posture speaks volumes, I think. It is a counter-narrative to heroism. Curator: Yes, and look at the inscription beneath the drawing. That’s another layer of meaning, documenting this study as part of a larger project, embedding this individual in the everyday military-industrial complex, perhaps. Are we romanticising a little by focusing solely on the soldier? What if we looked more at the 'system' the knapsack stands for? Editor: I didn’t think about it from that viewpoint, which focuses less on the person and more on how military entities strip a soldier of their individuality. Thanks, I see the image and context so much more clearly now. Curator: Absolutely, thinking about these themes allows us to really question who creates history, how it is constructed, and who benefits.