Vaandeldrager op een bordes, gekleed volgens de mode van ca. 1630 1639

This etching of a standard-bearer in fashionable dress was created by Abraham Bosse around 1630. Bosse lived in a time of immense social and political change, marked by the rise of powerful states and the entrenchment of social hierarchies. Here, the standard-bearer is idealized, embodying the virtues of loyalty and honor associated with military service. Clad in the latest fashion, his attire reflects the period’s emphasis on status and appearance. But what does it really mean to hold a flag? Whose values are being carried into battle? How does this romanticized vision of war intersect with the lived experiences of those on the front lines, often from the lower classes? The print prompts us to question the complex relationship between power, identity, and representation in times of conflict. By considering who is included and excluded from this narrative, we can grapple with the human cost of war and its enduring impact on society.