Kapitein van de infanterie 1618 - 1622

Hendrick Goltzius created this print, "Kapitein van de infanterie," using woodcut techniques. The composition immediately strikes us with its dynamic use of line and form. Notice how the figure of the infantry captain dominates the frame. The artist employs stark contrasts between light and shadow, achieved through dense, parallel lines, to define the contours of the captain's body and attire. This technique not only adds depth but also imbues the figure with a sense of movement and energy. The diagonal thrust of the captain’s body, balanced by the opposing lines of the landscape, creates a visual tension. Goltzius challenges the static conventions of portraiture by placing his subject in a seemingly precarious stance, suggesting a world in flux. The print destabilizes the traditional notion of a stoic military leader, instead presenting a figure caught in the dynamism of the moment. This interplay between form and instability highlights the shifting cultural values of Goltzius's era.