Oranje verjaagd uit België, 1830 1830 - 1831

This undated drawing, made in 1830 by an anonymous artist, captures a pivotal moment in Belgian history using pen in brown and black ink. The composition is immediately striking: two fleeing figures in military dress are dynamically positioned to the left, their retreat emphasized by scattered objects that disrupt the ground beneath them. The linear perspective draws our eye towards the right, where a group of armed civilians advances, a stark contrast in posture and purpose. The use of line varies, creating texture and depth. Notice how the artist employs hatching to give form to the figures and shading to suggest movement and tension. The relatively light tones emphasize the urgency and instability of the scene. This work destabilizes the traditional image of authority, depicting the powerful fleeing before the collective will of the people. It uses the formal elements of composition and line to create a narrative that challenges established power structures.