No. 10: Captain of Marines 1799

Henri Merke's "No. 10: Captain of Marines" is a study in lines and forms, rendered on paper in the late 18th to early 19th century. The composition centres on the figure of a marine captain, posed with sword in hand against the backdrop of a ship. The artwork employs a formal structure that uses line to define the subject's contours and details of his uniform and the surrounding nautical scene. There is a strong emphasis on the geometric rigidity of the captain’s attire and stance against the organic shapes of the ship’s sails. The graphic quality of the lines and shading invites us to consider how such formal representation conveys not just the image of a military figure, but also the values of order and control which were celebrated within 18th-century society. Ultimately, the artwork acts as a historical document, reflecting the period's aesthetic preferences and hierarchical social structures. It invites us to interpret its lines, forms, and composition as signifiers of a world that prized discipline and martial prowess.