Militair treurt bij zijn gevallen paard 1822 - 1856

Bernard Édouard Swebach created this print, Militair treurt bij zijn gevallen paard, which translates to, ‘Soldier mourning his fallen horse,’ sometime in the first half of the 19th century. The print captures a scene of loss amidst conflict. The bond between a soldier and his horse is palpable; it transcends mere utility, becoming an emblem of camaraderie in the theater of war. The soldier's posture speaks volumes of his grief, a poignant moment of vulnerability amidst the stoicism expected of military figures. Swebach was working during a period of significant change. As the print suggests, warfare was shifting due to industrialization which impacted the role of the cavalry, and their relationship to soldiers on the battlefield. The print resonates with an emotional truth about the costs of war, and the relationships that are forged in those conditions, inviting reflection on both personal and collective histories.