Troep soldaten, voorafgegaan door een hond, in de sneeuw 1869

Alfred Hubert created this image of soldiers in the snow using etching and line engraving. The dense network of etched lines forms a somber atmosphere, doesn't it? Observe how Hubert uses linear perspective to compress the space. The soldiers are depicted in a tight formation which creates a sense of claustrophobia. The diminishing size of the figures and the spears contribute to this effect, making the unit seem endless, stretching far into the horizon. The black dog acts as a visual anchor, set against the bleak snowscape. This compositional element creates an interplay between the immediate and the infinite. Hubert challenges traditional heroic depictions of military might. Instead, he exposes the psychological weight of the soldiers' march through a bleak, snow-covered landscape. The relentless march, signified by the strict linearity of the composition, evokes the ceaseless nature of war. The image functions as a semiotic challenge to established military glorification. Through its formal structure and thematic content, it presents a critical perspective on the human cost of conflict, prompting us to re-evaluate the narrative of heroism.