Johannes van Zijll de Jong en opperwachtmeester Meiners van het Korps Rijdende Artillerie te paard Possibly 1930 - 1934

This photograph captures Johannes van Zijll de Jong and opperwachtmeester Meiners of the Dutch Korps Rijdende Artillerie te paard, and was taken by an anonymous photographer. At first glance, it seems like a straightforward military portrait, however, there are a number of questions it raises about identity, power, and representation. Consider what it meant to be a soldier, and the cultural associations that came with it. What motivated these men to serve, and how did their personal identities intersect with their roles in the military? As officers, they represent authority and perhaps a certain class privilege, but how did they navigate their roles within the strict hierarchies of military life? How did the anonymous photographer of this portrait perceive their role in documenting these men? This image presents an opportunity to reflect on the complexities of historical identity and representation, prompting us to consider the ways in which personal stories intersect with larger narratives of power and society.