Parade 1765 - 1806

Johann David Schleuen created this print titled, Parade. Here, we witness soldiers marching, their flags raised high—symbols of nationhood and collective identity. The flags are not mere decorations; they are vessels of shared history, of triumphs and tribulations, and of the collective will of a people. Consider how similar displays appear throughout history. From Roman legions brandishing their eagles to medieval banners leading knights into battle, the act of parading under a flag has always been a powerful assertion of unity. It’s a primal call, appealing to our subconscious need for belonging. Yet, the meaning of these symbols is not static. Over time, a flag can transform from a beacon of hope to a reminder of oppression, depending on who waves it and in what context. This constant flux of meaning is what makes the study of images so vital. They reflect our ever-evolving human experience, a cyclical progression of symbols resurfacing and transforming across epochs.