Eén epaulet, toebehoord hebbende aan H.F. de Bruijn, Ridder Mil. Willemsorde 4e kl. in 1830/32 Luitenant bij het 1e Bat. Veldartillerie Bt 6 1800 - 1830

Curator: This is an epaulet, dating from the early 19th century, belonging to H.F. de Bruijn, a Lieutenant recognized for his service in the 1830s. It’s a rather unassuming example, crafted from metal and textile. What strikes you first about it? Editor: Immediately, it whispers tales of power. All those cascading metal threads—like metallic rain clinging to the wearer's shoulder. The texture hints at a bygone era. Curator: Indeed, objects like this one held tremendous symbolic weight, especially during the era of burgeoning nationalism in Europe. Editor: It feels deeply personal. Like a talisman imbued with stories of skirmishes, loyalty, and sacrifice. What part does individual heroism play within history here? Curator: That's perceptive. These decorations offered recognition of bravery. Consider the societal pressures shaping how people perceived valor, duty, and patriotic sacrifice in the 19th century. It gives us some insight into the motivations behind political actions on grander stages. Editor: It’s funny—as a historian, you zoom out to societal constructs, and as an artist, I feel pulled into the inner life of Lieutenant de Bruijn. It makes me think of portraiture and the art of self-representation at the time. Did everyone aspire to a glorious image? Curator: Uniforms and their adornments definitely served as potent signifiers. This epaulet is a quiet testament to larger historical currents, reminding us that even modest objects can echo with the clamor of the past. Editor: What is powerful to me is seeing how ordinary lives intersect extraordinary events—and finding the art within. It turns out, in this case, that beauty exists where we least expect.