Eerste troepen in Amsterdam in 1787 1795 - 1796

S.G. Casten rendered 'First Troops in Amsterdam in 1787' using ink and watercolour. The composition is split into two distinct halves; a list of troops on the left and an illustration of armed men on the right. This division creates a clear visual hierarchy, juxtaposing text with image. Casten meticulously depicts the soldiers, emphasizing the lines of their uniforms and the cylindrical form of their hats. The colour palette is restrained, dominated by whites, reds and blues that create a sense of order and formality. The illustration utilizes a horizon line to anchor the figures within the composition. Note the serialisation of numbers marked above each troop, this symbolises a structural system designed to maintain order and control. The artwork functions not just as a historical record but also as a coded representation of power, one that reflects broader concerns with classification, organization, and the visual display of authority. We can see how Casten uses form to mediate between historical event and symbolic structure.