Engels-Russische aftocht, 1799 1807 - 1809

This etching, made around 1799 by Reinier Vinkeles, captures the departure of English and Russian troops, but it is the intimate scene in the foreground that intrigues us most. Observe the soldier seated upon a box, his gaze directed elsewhere, while a figure kneels to polish his boots. The act of polishing, of cleansing, is here imbued with the weight of defeat. It mirrors gestures seen across epochs, from religious purification rituals to the mundane chores of daily life. Yet, here, it carries a certain ambivalence. Consider how the simple act of cleaning has evolved—from ancient rituals of piety to modern acts of subservience or preparation for battle. The collective memory of these acts resonates within us, stirring emotions of humility, anticipation, and perhaps, a hidden hope for renewal amidst the debris of conflict. The gesture of polishing is a powerful evocation that binds us to the ebb and flow of history.