Soldaat op een plein 1783

Robert Brichet created this print titled 'Soldier in a Square' sometime between 1750 and 1850 using etching. The figure's flamboyant garb and stance suggest more of a performance than actual military service. The title "La Fleur" hints at a character or actor, rather than a real soldier. This was a time of significant social upheaval, with the echoes of revolution in the air. Military service, often associated with honor and duty, also involved class and status. The print raises questions about who is asked or expected to serve, and what kind of performance that service entails. Brichet’s soldier, with his foppish attire, challenges the traditional image of military stoicism. The artist uses this figure to make us reflect on the construction of identity and the performative aspects of social roles. The work invites us to consider the lived experiences of individuals within the grand narratives of history, power, and representation.