Artillerie / Kanonniers / Génie.-Grande tenue / Geniekorps groote tenue / Gendarmes à pied / Gendarmen te voet 1833 - 1911

This print depicting various military uniforms was created by Brepols & Dierckx Zoon, probably in the mid-19th century. It offers a glimpse into the visual codes and hierarchical structures of military dress during that time. Note the distinct uniforms representing different divisions: artillery, engineers, and gendarmes. The image creates meaning through visual codes, cultural references, and historical associations. Consider how details like the cut of the jackets, the colors used, and the adornments might signify rank, role, or national identity. This was a time of significant social and political change in Europe. Military institutions played a central role in maintaining order and projecting power, and these uniforms would have been potent symbols of authority. To understand this image more fully, we might turn to regimental histories, fashion studies, and analyses of military culture. What can these uniforms tell us about the relationship between the military, the state, and society in 19th-century Europe?