Zhier ziet gij de toebereidsels van den strijd, Daar wij eens door zijn verblijd 1781 - 1828

Alexander Cranendoncq created this print, "Zhier ziet gij de toebereidsels van den strijd, Daar wij eens door zijn verblijd," sometime in the early 19th century using etching and possibly other techniques. This work presents a series of small scenes, reminiscent of a comic strip, detailing the preparations and realities of warfare. In the 18th and 19th centuries, the Netherlands was a site of frequent battles between major European powers. The Dutch people experienced political upheaval. Here, Cranendoncq doesn’t shy away from depicting violence; we see soldiers being shot, trampled, and injured. The scenes seem to humanize the experience of war by emphasizing the individual soldier's experiences of pain and sacrifice. The text accompanying the images suggests a narrative, possibly a song or poem, which adds an emotional layer to the visuals. Cranendoncq invites us to reflect on the human cost of conflict. The piece is a stark reminder of the personal stories overshadowed by grand narratives of war.