Officiers de diverses armes / Officieren van onderscheide wapenen 1833 - 1900

Glenisson & Zonen created this print depicting officers of various military branches. Consider the historical context in which this artwork was produced. At the time, military power and social status were closely linked, and these images would have been circulated among a society that highly valued military prowess. The officers, uniformly male and seemingly of a certain class, reflect the power dynamics of the period. Notice the way in which they are represented: each figure sits astride a horse, embodying authority and control. However, this image can also speak to the experience of the unknown and the unnamed. The print may remind us that for every officer depicted, there were countless soldiers from different backgrounds whose stories often go untold. What were their lives like, and what sacrifices did they make? Through its images of military personnel, this artwork raises questions about the nature of power, identity, and representation. It invites us to reflect on the stories we tell about ourselves, and the stories that remain hidden in the shadows of history.