Soldaat Garnizoenscompagnie, 1820-1825 1825 - 1827

Jean-Baptiste Madou made this watercolor and brush drawing of a soldier in garrison, sometime between 1820 and 1825. Let’s consider the materials. We see paper, pigment, and brushwork, of course. But we also should think about the materials that the soldier is wearing and carrying. His uniform is made of cloth, probably produced by an industrialized mill. The gun he carries also reflects relatively recent advances in industrial production. Madou hasn’t simply represented a soldier; he’s captured a nexus of social and economic forces. This work depicts the reality of labor – both that of the soldier, and the many unseen workers who supplied his equipment. By focusing on the material reality of the soldier’s world, Madou subtly directs our attention to the human cost of military power. It reminds us that even seemingly straightforward depictions can be powerful statements about society and labor.