Officier met een cape 1795 - 1813

Joannes Pieter Visser Bender made this drawing of an officer with a cape sometime around the early 19th century. It’s now part of the collection here at the Rijksmuseum. The image resonates with the political climate of the Netherlands during the Napoleonic era. The Netherlands was annexed by France in 1810, and many Dutch citizens were conscripted into the French army. The officer’s uniform and stoic posture reflect the military culture and the impact of French occupation on Dutch society, yet also the Netherlands was controlled by different political leaders in quick succession in this period. The drawing’s style, with its precise lines and attention to detail, fits into the artistic conventions of the time. Understanding the institutional context, such as the art academies and patronage systems, helps us grasp how artists like Bender navigated their careers. Were they supported by the state, or private individuals? Did they choose the army themselves? To fully understand a work like this, historians delve into military records, fashion history, and biographical details. These resources help us to understand art as something contingent on social and institutional contexts.