Staande soldaat leunend op zijn geweer 1778 - 1838

Anthonie van den Bos created this etching, "Standing Soldier Leaning on His Rifle," using etching techniques. The composition presents a full-length figure rendered in a network of fine, precise lines that define the soldier's uniform and posture. The texture and detail are constructed through hatching and cross-hatching, which give volume to the soldier's coat and the fur trim around his shoulders. The artist uses line not only to delineate shape but also to create tonal variations, thereby structuring the visual field. The figure's pose, leaning casually on the rifle, introduces a study in contrasts: the military rigidity implied by the uniform versus the relaxed stance. This interplay extends into a broader commentary on the military figure. The lines create visual rhythm that invites the viewer to contemplate the semiotics of military representation during that era. Ultimately, the visual construction of the soldier’s image is a form of cultural coding, a commentary on the performance and representation of military identity.