Soldaat die zijn spies op de rechterschouder draagt c. 1826 - 1888

Johannes Antonius Canta sketched this soldier carrying his spear on his right shoulder in the 19th century. The image evokes the long history of military power in the Netherlands. At the time, the Netherlands was undergoing significant social and political changes, and the military played a crucial role in maintaining order. Canta's choice of subject matter speaks to the ongoing importance of the military in Dutch society and perhaps a bit of nostalgia, even though the glory days of the Dutch military ended in the 17th century. The image references visual codes of military prowess and strength. Historical records, military archives, and social histories of the Netherlands would provide invaluable context for understanding this image. Art, after all, doesn't exist in a vacuum; it is always shaped by the social and institutional forces of its time.