Leger van boeren 1802 - 1809

Daniël Veelwaard created this print, titled "Army of Peasants," using etching. The scene is dominated by a throng of peasants armed with makeshift weapons, their hats adorned with a cross. This cross, a symbol of faith and unity, bears the weight of centuries, from the Crusades to peasant revolts. We see the cross motif echo through time: emblazoned on shields, sewn onto tunics, a rallying point for the faithful. Yet, here, it's twisted, repurposed by common folk rising against authority. The cross, once a beacon of divine power, becomes a mark of earthly rebellion. Consider how such a potent symbol engages our subconscious. The image of the crowd, a mass of faces and raised arms, evokes primal fears and desires—the fear of being overwhelmed, the desire for collective power. It is a tableau of raw emotion, a visceral reminder of humanity's capacity for both faith and fury.