De exercitie met de targe en rapier: de soldaat hangt de targe terug op zijn rug, (nr. 13), 1618 1616 - 1618

Adam van Breen created this etching of a soldier in 1618, a time when the Dutch Republic was defining its identity through military prowess during the Eighty Years' War. Consider the weight of armor, the way it encases and defines the body, while also restricting movement. This soldier is captured in a moment of repose, suggesting a narrative beyond the battlefield. Van Breen seems interested in exploring how military identity is internalized and performed. The elaborate shield design also hints at a degree of personal expression amidst the uniformity of military gear. What does it mean to carry the weight of defense, both literally and metaphorically? This print invites us to reflect on the intersection of individual experience and the broader social role of a soldier.