Soldaten aan het exerceren 1832 - 1897

Alexander Ver Huell's sketch, "Soldiers Exercising," captures a scene of military drill with an eye for caricature. The exaggerated gestures of the figures invite us to consider the symbolism of military posture and obedience. Note the raised arm of the instructing officer. This gesture, meant to command, echoes across centuries, from ancient Roman oratory to the Renaissance depictions of authority. It becomes a complex emblem of power and control, simultaneously absurd and imposing. Consider how the posture and uniform aim to instill not just order, but also a sense of collective identity, blurring individual expression into the group. The child saluting brings forth a certain psycho-social phenomenon; a deep-seated need for order reflected in military life. The child's instinctive imitation tells of a human longing to connect to a larger, regulated system. As the military has evolved, so too has our collective psyche regarding concepts of discipline, structure, and national pride.