Compositie ter ere van Jenneval, 1830 1830 - 1831

Henry Ratinckx made this lithograph titled "Compositie ter ere van Jenneval" in 1830. It commemorates Auguste-Dieudonné Jenneval, a French actor who died fighting for Belgian independence. The image depicts a volunteer soldier, rifle in hand, standing over a cross, from which a lyre ascends in a plume of smoke. The lyre suggests Jenneval's artistic life as a playwright and performer. Crosses typically mark graves and evoke Christian sacrifice. This imagery positions Jenneval as a Christ-like figure martyred for the cause of freedom. Made during a period of intense political upheaval, this print reflects the liberal, pro-independence sentiments gaining momentum in Belgium. As an artwork, this lithograph contributes to the creation of national heroes and the consolidation of a new Belgian cultural identity. To understand this work better, scholars consult archives, political pamphlets, and popular songs from the period. Through this research, art history reveals the complex interplay between art, politics, and social change.