Staande trompetter 1867 - 1923

George Hendrik Breitner made this drawing of a standing trumpeter. The sketch offers a glimpse into the cultural milieu of the late 19th century, a period marked by significant social change and military expansion. Breitner, known for his depictions of Amsterdam street life and military subjects, captures the trumpeter with loose, expressive lines, conveying both the individual's presence and the broader societal structures of the time. The military figure embodies concepts of duty, order, and national identity which were central to the era's political and social discourse. Breitner developed alternative narratives, moving away from traditional heroic depictions, towards a more modern, individualistic representation, capturing a sense of the everyday within the framework of military life. This piece provides a historical record and invites reflection on the roles, representations, and realities of individuals within institutional structures.