Staande piekenier 1710 - 1717

Curator: Here in gallery 22, we find ourselves before “Standing Pikeman,” a work executed between 1710 and 1717, created by Dirk Maas. The work on display at the Rijksmuseum is an engraving on paper. Editor: It has a slightly unsettling feel to it, don't you think? There is a strong linear composition and, despite the stoicism of the subject matter, the diagonal lines suggest movement and perhaps even instability. Curator: That sense of instability might arise from the pikeman's stance; one leg forward, the other extended behind, with both arms bearing the weight of the pike itself, counterbalanced by the sword at his hip. The lines formed by the engraving capture the period armor. What significance might the pikeman hold? Editor: Ah, the pikeman: symbol of military might and order in that era. His back faces us, presenting the rigid authority of his role rather than individual emotion. The spear points aggressively upward. The sword on the hip signifies that in a melee encounter he had the close combat capability necessary to emerge victorious. The image becomes less about an individual and more about the inexorable march of...well, perhaps fate or duty? Curator: Precisely. And how do we interpret his averted gaze? Is it an intentional symbol meant to convey detachment, or perhaps disinterest, with direction prioritized over expression? The image is powerful despite the limitations of monochrome engraving, no? Editor: Without color, form and line become paramount. The meticulous details in the armor and weapon contrast with the relatively blank space, emphasizing the pikeman’s imposing presence. The quality of the etched lines themselves suggests precision, and control that amplifies the symbol of the composed, ever-ready warrior. Curator: I hadn't thought of the 'blank space' that way before, an empty, uncluttered background against which he stands ready for action. Thanks for offering me that perspective. Editor: A privilege. Analyzing the confluence of sign and form, of symbol and style gives an intriguing depth to what appears on first glance to be merely an historical depiction.