Twee pakezels met op de achtergrond optrekkende soldaten 1755 - 1759

Pierre Chenu created this print, “Two Pack Donkeys with Soldiers in the Background,” in the 18th century, a time of immense social stratification in Europe. In the foreground, Chenu depicts two donkeys laden with goods, their heads bowed under the weight of their burdens. Meanwhile, soldiers march uphill in the background. This juxtaposition speaks volumes about the class disparities of the era, the laboring class literally carrying the weight for the military. This imagery evokes a sense of the quiet, unseen labor upon which military campaigns and societal structures were built. The donkeys, adorned yet burdened, stand as symbols of resilience and silent suffering. Chenu's work captures a moment in time that reflects both the pastoral and the political, asking us to consider the unseen costs of progress and power. The emotional weight of this piece lies in its understated commentary on the lives lived in service to larger forces, their stories often untold.