Kolonel Henry Louis Fourgeoud, doorwaadt met zijn mannen een moeras 1799

This print depicts Colonel Henry Louis Fourgeoud leading his men through a swamp, and it was made by an anonymous artist. The process of printmaking, particularly engraving, involves a series of deliberate actions. The artist would have meticulously incised lines into a metal plate to create this image. It’s a labor-intensive process, demanding a high degree of skill and precision. The very act of engraving, of marking a surface through physical effort, mirrors the arduous journey represented in the image. Note the stark contrast between light and shadow, achieved through the density and direction of the engraved lines. Look closely, and you’ll see how the act of producing this image is deeply tied to the narrative it conveys. It shows the amount of work involved in such a military campaign. A print like this was designed for wide circulation, a piece of propaganda intended to rally support. It’s a reminder that materials and making are never neutral; they’re always embedded in social and political contexts.