Jager van het Korps van Cleerens 1835 - 1850

Albertus Verhoesen created this print, "Jager van het Korps van Cleerens," to capture a soldier, a Jager, in full regalia, mounted on a galloping horse. At first glance, the image may seem like a straightforward depiction of military prowess, but it’s also a window into the complex interplay between identity and power. The Jager, adorned in a green uniform, embodies the ideals of the Dutch military during a period marked by nationalistic fervor and colonial expansion. He is literally elevated by his horse. But what does it mean to represent power in this way? What does it mean to be in command? The Jager represents an individual caught in a complex web of duty, national identity, and perhaps, personal ambition. Verhoesen invites us to reflect on the human stories behind the uniforms, and the societal structures they uphold.