Een kamerheer brengt een oorlogsveteraan naar koning Willem I - Jean Baptiste Ambroise Marcellin Jobard

A detailed 1829 lithograph by Jean Baptiste Ambroise Marcellin Jobard depicting a respectful encounter between a chamberlain and a war veteran.

This lithograph by Jean Baptiste Ambroise Marcellin Jobard, dated 1829, depicts a specific historical encounter involving a war veteran and a chamberlain. The scene is set against a modest architectural backdrop, where the veteran, leaning on a cane and dressed in worn clothing, is approached by a chamberlain. The composition focuses on the interaction between these figures, with the chamberlain offering a gesture of respect that acknowledges the veteran's service. The inclusion of military uniforms and period-appropriate civilian dress provides a clear sense of the early nineteenth-century social order.

Jobard, a figure active in the development of lithography, employs a precise line quality that defines the figures and their surroundings. The hand-colouring applied to the print adds a layer of visual information, distinguishing the uniforms and the textures of the clothing. The text inscribed below the image provides context for the dialogue, noting the chamberlain's reassurance to the veteran that his wounds serve as a better recommendation than fine attire. This narrative element is characteristic of the genre prints of the era, which often sought to convey moral or social messages through historical or anecdotal subjects.

The work is part of a series titled '10me RENCONTRE', reflecting the interest in documenting specific, often humanising, moments within the broader context of the United Kingdom of the Netherlands. The print demonstrates the technical capabilities of lithography in the 1820s, allowing for the reproduction of detailed scenes with a degree of tonal variation. The composition is balanced, with the figures arranged to draw the viewer's attention to the central exchange. The overall presentation, including the wide margins and the descriptive caption, aligns with the conventions of nineteenth-century print publishing, where such works were intended for both documentation and public consumption.