The Drummer 1670 - 1704

This drawing, made by Cornelis Dusart, captures a drummer, a seemingly simple figure rendered in ink. But let us delve deeper than the surface. The drummer, with his rhythmic beat, is a symbol of rhythm and order, an archetype reappearing across cultures and epochs. In ancient Greece, rhythmic drumming was a Bacchic ritual, inducing trance. In the Middle Ages, drums signaled gatherings, both festive and martial, conveying messages and rousing emotions. Here, the drummer’s frenetic energy is unmistakable. The instrument is a primal symbol that speaks to the subconscious, awakening collective memories of gatherings, rituals, and calls to arms. Across time, the drum has evolved, yet it retains its primal power, its beat echoing through history, a constant reminder of the rhythms that bind us.