Schetsblad met studies van militairen 1872 - 1927

Editor: This is "Schetsblad met studies van militairen," or "Sheet with studies of soldiers," by Louis Charles Bombled, made sometime between 1872 and 1927. It's a sketch done with pencil, graphite, and ink, so it feels very immediate, like a glimpse into the artist's working process. What stands out to you when you look at this piece? Curator: Ah, Bombled! This reminds me of leafing through old photo albums in a musty attic. So much personality squeezed into these tentative lines! Notice how he's capturing the weight of the uniform, the slight slump of the soldier's shoulders… you can almost hear the clatter of hooves and the crisp orders being barked. It feels so informal, almost irreverent. Does it make you wonder what Bombled was *really* thinking about the military at the time? Editor: That's interesting! I hadn't really considered any critique, I was more focused on the almost humorous way the figures are drawn, especially the one that’s upside down! Is it possible this was purely for practice or for a different type of illustration entirely? Curator: Precisely! Think of it as visual shorthand, a secret language of observation. This may have been an exploration for something larger or just simple artistic play. Either way it holds more value than any single grand canvas. I always encourage people to view sketches such as this as a gateway to the artist’s creative core! What do you think? Does it spark something for you, seeing the “behind the scenes” work? Editor: Definitely! It humanizes the artist. Thanks, I am glad I got to analyze that with you, it made it more meaningful to consider.