Oefeningen van de artillerie te Milligen 1861

This is Charles Rochussen’s sketch of artillery exercises at Milligen, made with pen in grey on paper. The work offers a glimpse into 19th-century military life. Here, the cannon, an imposing instrument of destruction, dominates one side of the composition, its presence a stark reminder of humanity’s capacity for violence. Yet, the scene unfolds with a detached calm, almost as if the instruments of war were mere playthings. The repetition of figures and the linear arrangement of the soldiers and horses evoke a sense of order and control, yet also hint at the underlying chaos and destruction that such weaponry can unleash. Consider the horse, for instance, a symbol of power and nobility. The horse appears throughout history, from the steeds of ancient Greek heroes to the warhorses of medieval knights. Yet, in each context, the horse’s symbolism shifts subtly, mirroring the evolving values and anxieties of the societies that employ it. Even today, the horse inspires awe, stirring something primal and subconscious within us.