Figuren in een kampement c. 1733 - 1762

Jean Moyreau made this print, "Figureren in een kampement," sometime in the 18th century. Encampments like this one were sites of enormous social tension. The presence of soldiers, often seen as protectors, could also represent a threat, particularly to women. The print seems to be offering us a glimpse into the everyday lives of soldiers and the women who often accompanied them. But who are these women? Are they wives, cooks, or something else entirely? Moyreau doesn't tell us. Instead, we are left to consider the complex dynamics of gender and power that play out in such a setting. This work compels us to think about the ways in which identity is shaped by circumstance, by the ever-present backdrop of conflict and survival. It’s a tableau of humanity, capturing both the vulnerability and the resilience inherent in the human condition.