Soldati, scappoli 1598

This engraving by Christoph Krieger portrays a soldier with striking attire. Note his feathered turban, emblematic of the Ottoman influence, a motif often associated with both exoticism and threat in early modern Europe. The soldier’s gesture, an open hand, might suggest either offering or warning, a duality echoed in the accompanying labels ‘Soldati’ and ‘Scappoli’ – soldiers and bachelors. This duality evokes the complex psychological space of the early modern man, torn between duty and freedom. Consider the ‘Man of Sorrows,’ where the displayed hands invite empathy, yet here, such a gesture also intimates power. Such symbols are never fixed. Their journey through time and space reveals a continuous negotiation between tradition and innovation. This interplay deeply affects how we, even now, perceive such figures and their gestures. The image reverberates with a primal force, engaging us in a dialogue across centuries.