Napoleon te midden van soldaten tijdens de Slag bij Waterloo, 18 juni 1815 1837

Auguste Raffet made this print of Napoleon amidst soldiers during the Battle of Waterloo, 18 June 1815. It depicts a chaotic scene of war, with soldiers, horses, and cannons scattered across the battlefield. The image creates meaning through its depiction of Napoleon as a heroic figure, standing tall amidst the chaos of battle. It reflects the cultural and political context of 19th-century France, where Napoleon was a highly revered figure. The print also comments on the social structures of its time, portraying the common soldiers as brave and loyal subjects of the French Empire. The image would have been made in a print shop, part of the popular visual culture of the time. Historians study sources like letters, newspapers, and other artworks to better understand the social and institutional context in which art is made, and the role of art in shaping social and political life.