Jagers in een heuvellandschap c. 1831

Jean-Baptiste Madou made this print, "Hunters in a Hilly Landscape," date unknown, using lithography. Madou was a Belgian artist who came of age after the Napoleonic era. The print depicts a hunting scene that could easily be interpreted as a military encampment. Consider how the uniforms, the hierarchy of figures, and the placement of tents reference military culture. The artist was known for his lithographs and paintings depicting scenes from everyday life, often with a satirical or humorous tone. This work may reflect a nostalgia for the recent history of military conflict in Europe. Or, perhaps it represents a longing for the camaraderie and structure that military life provided. Analyzing the political and social conditions of Belgium in the 19th century, along with close attention to the artist’s biography and other works, offers insights into the cultural values and anxieties of the time.