Soldaten und Marketenderinnen in einem Gewölbe mit Fässern und Kisten 

Gottlieb Welté made this watercolor and opaque paint drawing, depicting soldiers and female merchants in a vault filled with barrels and boxes. Welté worked during a period where such images were crucial in creating a sense of shared identity among a growing middle class. Watercolor was a particularly suitable medium for this purpose; it allowed for the relatively quick production of detailed, atmospheric scenes. Note how Welté's technique captures the earthy textures of the barrels, boxes, and stone vaults, all essential for supplying the military. The choice of watercolor here isn't just about aesthetics; it's about making accessible a narrative deeply rooted in the economic activities that supported military campaigns. By focusing on the everyday aspects of military life, Welté’s choice of watercolor elevates the material realities of labour and trade. It blurs the lines between fine art and craft, inviting us to consider the social and economic contexts that shape our understanding of art.