Man op kanon aan boord van een schip 1830 - 1851

Adolphe Mouilleron created this print of a man on a ship with a cannon sometime in the mid-19th century. Here, we see how images of military life were being romanticized and distributed to a mass audience. Shipping and naval power played a crucial role in Dutch history, particularly in the 17th century, when the Dutch Republic was a major maritime power. By the 19th century, the Netherlands’ global power was diminished, but the cultural memory of its naval past remained strong. Mouilleron presents us with an intimate portrait of a sailor in a moment of reflection or perhaps boredom. The cannon at his feet is a reminder of the violence inherent in maritime power, but the pensive mood of the sailor softens this violence. To understand this image better, we might investigate popular imagery of sailors in 19th century Dutch culture, including literature, theatre, and other art forms. The Rijksmuseum's collection is a great place to start! By considering the broader cultural context, we can better understand the social and political meanings embedded in this seemingly simple image.