Oorlog tusschen Rusland en Turkije in 1828 / Guerre entre la Russie et la Turquie en 1828 1800 - 1833

This is a print depicting the "War between Russia and Turkey in 1828," created by Philippus Jacobus Brepols. The artwork encapsulates a moment of intense geopolitical conflict, framed by the decline of the Ottoman Empire and the expansionist ambitions of Russia. Brepols presents us with a series of vignettes, each capturing different episodes of the war. There is a clear attempt to create a comprehensive narrative, but also a sense of distance, as if viewing events through a detached lens. The print does not delve into the experiences of the individuals who lived through this moment in time; there is no emotional intensity, no romantic heroism. Instead, the work offers a bird’s-eye view of a war, devoid of the mess and horror of what that might entail. It emphasizes the strategies and movements of armies, abstracting human figures into mere symbols of power. The print offers a stark reflection on how conflicts can be reduced to a series of tactical maneuvers, obscuring the human cost of war.