An artwork on Galleree from Cleveland Museum of Art.
About the artwork
Standing Officer Holding a Boar's Spear1586
Hendrick Goltzius
This sheet is the only known preparatory drawing for an important group of engravings depicting military figures designed by Hendrick Goltzius between 1582 and 1600. Here Goltzius depicted a military officer with a confident stance and direct gaze as he staunchly holds a spear in his right hand and carries his sword on his hip. Details such as the fluttering scarf and the feather-trimmed hat enliven the image. The background portrays the deeds of the protagonist, including a scene with troops on the right, and two other officers, perhaps shown training with spears, on the left. Such imagery usually promoted militaristic values such as bravery in the period, as the Netherlands underwent continuous warfare with Spain. Goltzius's technique includes fine pen strokes and delicate brown washes combined with red chalk additions on the face and hands, which add a degree of naturalism and finish to the drawing.
This military officer brandishes a type of spear used for boar hunting, in which the two lugs on the blade were meant to keep the animal from pushing its way up the spear to attack the hunter.
Pen and brown ink, brush and brown wash, red chalk with traces of white opaque watercolor over black chalk, on paper; traces of transfer
Sheet: 20.6 x 15.6 cm (8 1/8 x 6 1/8 in.)
Leonard C. Hanna, Jr. Fund
In a quiet corner of an artist's studio, a remarkable drawing rests, breathing life into the tales of yore. This solitary sheet, an exquisite preparatory sketch, is the sole remnant of an ambitious series of engravings created by Hendrick Goltzius, a masterful engraver, between 1582 and 1600. It stands not merely as a piece of art but as a portal into a past where valor and duty were woven into the fabric of society, especially against the foreboding backdrop of continuous warfare with Spain.
Here, within the delicate lines and soft washes, a military officer emerges. His stance is unwavering, radiating confidence, while his direct gaze draws you in, inviting you to share in his resolute spirit. Strongly grasping a spear in his right hand, he carries a sword by his hip, symbols of his readiness for battle. The fluttering scarf dances around him, almost catching the wind of history itself, while a feather-trimmed hat crowns his head, heightening the sense of nobility.
But perhaps what is most compelling lies beyond this figure. The background unfolds like a tapestry of bravery and camaraderie; to the right, troops rally around a common cause, and on the left, two other officers engage in earnest training with their spears. They are not just figures in a drawing but echoes of an era when valor was celebrated and heroism upheld. Goltzius captures this essence, weaving together images that resonate with the military values of courage and unity.
His artistry shines through in the meticulous detail—fine pen strokes create the contours of the officer's face, while delicate brown washes envelop the scene in warmth. The unexpected touches of red chalk bring life to the skin, lending an air of naturalism that invites the viewer to linger longer, to consider the stories behind each brush and stroke.
This drawing, though stationary, thunders with the stories of its time, reminding us of the intricate dance between art and history—a testament to the strength and spirit that once animated a nation in the throes of conflict. It stands still, yet reverberates with tales that brush against our modern lives, whispering of struggles, of bravery, and the enduring legacy of those who came before us.
About the artist
Creating transformative experiences through art “for the benefit of all the people forever.”The Cleveland Museum of Art is renowned for the quality and breadth of its collection, which includes more than 66,500 artworks and spans 6,000 years of achievement in the arts. The artworks shared on this platform are sourced from the museum's Open Access data under the CC0 license. No endorsement is implied.Address: 11150 East Boulevard, Cleveland, OH, USA 44106
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