Huzaren en monniken 1758

Daniel Nikolaus Chodowiecki created this print called ‘Huzaren en monniken’ whose date is unknown, using etching. Chodowiecki was a Huguenot of Polish-German extraction, living in Berlin. The image shows a scene of celebration and perhaps hints at the complex relationship between religious orders and military power in 18th-century Prussia. We see soldiers and monks drinking together, in what looks like a town square. At the center, a figure stands atop a barrel, perhaps giving a toast to the King of Prussia, as the text at the bottom of the print suggests: ‘Long live the King of Prussia’. But what does it mean to see monks, who have taken vows of poverty and obedience, engaging in revelry with soldiers? How might this scene reflect the negotiation, or perhaps the tension, between spiritual and temporal authority? The combination of satire and social commentary provides a glimpse into the world of 18th century Prussia. Ultimately, Chodowiecki invites us to reflect on the relationships between power, identity, and social order.