Plate 8: the march to the battlefield 1635 - 1660

Jacques Courtois created this print, "Plate 8: The March to the Battlefield," capturing a scene brimming with martial energy. Dominating the composition is the recurring motif of the mounted warrior, a figure whose roots plunge deep into the well of human history and collective memory. The image's leader, confidently pointing forward with his baton, evokes the classical Roman equestrian statues, symbols of imperial power and military might. Yet, this symbol isn't static. Consider how the horse, once a revered emblem of aristocracy and warfare, transforms in later eras. We see it pulling the carts of laborers, or tamed for leisure, its symbolism adapting to societal shifts. The flag, billowing above the soldiers, is an emotionally charged symbol, that stirs collective identity. These symbols tap into our primal instincts. Notice how the chaos of battle is only suggested in the horizon, heightening the psychological tension. In essence, Courtois presents more than a mere battle scene. He delivers a potent distillation of humanity’s complex relationship with power.