De exercitie met schild en spies: de soldaat staande met de spies rustend op de grond naast de rechtervoet (nr. 30), 1618 1616 - 1618

Adam van Breen etched "De exercitie met schild en spies" in 1618, capturing a soldier with shield and spear. This work emerges from a period marked by significant military and political upheaval in Europe, particularly the Thirty Years' War. Van Breen's detailed rendering of the soldier's posture and attire provides insights into the identity of the military figure, reflecting the period's emphasis on martial prowess. The spear resting on the ground evokes a sense of readiness. The shield, a symbol of protection, hints at the ever-present dangers and vulnerabilities of military life. Consider the emotional weight carried by soldiers, individuals thrust into roles of both defender and aggressor. What might this engraving tell us about the complex interplay between duty, identity, and the human cost of conflict?