Italiaanse jonker en lansier 1576 - 1596

Abraham de Bruyn’s etching, *Italiaanse jonker en lansier*, captures two Italian noblemen with a lance. The lance, an iconic symbol of military and aristocratic power, cuts through the scene, embodying strength and authority. The lance is not merely a weapon; it’s a visual echo resonating across cultures and epochs. We see its likeness in the spears of antiquity, wielded by Roman centurions and Greek hoplites, each bearing the weight of empire and martial prowess. Consider, too, the Christian iconography, where the lance pierces the side of Christ, transforming from a symbol of earthly power to one of spiritual suffering and redemption. This shifting symbolism reveals our collective memory at play. The lance evokes both fear and respect, its form triggering deep-seated psychological responses linked to defense, aggression, and social hierarchy. De Bruyn's jonker carries not just a weapon, but a legacy of power, continually resurfacing and evolving through our shared human story.