1806 - 1830
Wat heeft den oorlog niet al kunsten uitgedacht, / Tot ondermijning van het menschelijk geslacht. / Gezegend land! dat niet dan in onmijd'bren nood / Der burgeren deugd beproeft, n 'aanzien van e dood
Jacob Plügger
1795 - 1871Location
RijksmuseumListen to curator's interpretation
Curatorial notes
This print by Jacob Plügger shows various military figures and weaponry and reflects the complicated relationship between war, national identity, and technological advancement during the late 18th or early 19th century. Each scene is meticulously rendered, offering a glimpse into the uniforms, equipment, and roles within the military. The artist captures both the precision of military organization and the emotional weight of warfare. The print can be viewed as a commentary on the paradoxical nature of progress. The upper text translates roughly to: "What hasn't war invented to undermine mankind?" and "Blessed Land! that only in inevitable need proves the virtue of citizens in the face of death". Plügger seems to be exploring the tension between national pride, military strength, and the human cost of conflict. Ultimately, the print is a powerful reflection on the complexities of war and its enduring impact on society and the individual psyche.