Krijgsman met schild en zwaard gewapend, staand op een slachtoffer 1842

Eugène François de Block created this etching of a warrior with shield and sword in the nineteenth century. It's an image that seems to glorify military power, but we should consider its place within the social and institutional structures of the time. Nineteenth-century Europe was a period of intense nationalism and colonialism. Images of strong warriors were often used to promote national pride and justify imperial expansion. Block was from Belgium, a relatively new country that was trying to establish its own national identity. We might ask: does this print contribute to the heroic narrative of a glorious past? Does it reflect Belgium's colonial ambitions in Africa? Or is the artist critiquing the violence and brutality of war? To truly understand this etching, we need to consider its wider historical context, looking at sources such as military records, political speeches, and popular literature. By doing so, we can better understand the complex social and political meanings embedded within the image.