Twee soldaten op een verhoging en een groep soldaten met vlaggen opgesteld 18th century

This small print depicts two soldiers shaking hands on a precipice, observed by ranks of troops and banners. It’s an anonymous work, held here at the Rijksmuseum. The image speaks to an important aspect of military life, namely, the treaties and agreements that ended conflict and established new social and political realities. The handshake is a potent symbol of peace, but the fact that it takes place above ranks of soldiers reminds us that the treaty is only as strong as the military power that underwrites it. To understand this print fully, we’d need to delve into the history of military treaties in the Netherlands. A good place to start would be the national archives, which hold many such documents. Understanding the context in which it was made helps us understand the social function this image would have had.