Eine Schlacht, in der Mitte ein Heerführer zu Pferde, den Wurfspieß in der Hand 

Editor: Here we have Erasmus Quellinus’ "A Battle, with a Commander on Horseback in the Centre, Spear in Hand," a drawing rendered in chalk, ink, and charcoal. It feels so dynamic, but almost unfinished. The details are so precise in some areas but dissolve into frantic scribbles elsewhere. What stands out to you? Curator: The drawing certainly possesses that Baroque dynamism, but it’s also deeply embedded in the historical consciousness of conflict. Consider the symbolic weight of the horse and rider, an archetype spanning centuries. What do you make of the commander's central positioning, his raised spear? Is it a symbol of triumph, or perhaps something more ambiguous? Editor: Well, I see the commander as triumphant, a symbol of power. But it’s also disturbing. There are so many bodies, the fallen, the struggle. Is this meant to glorify violence? Curator: Perhaps not glorify, but explore its complexities. War has, for a long time, been linked with virility and power. Quellinus gives the viewers both sides; we witness leadership but also acknowledge brutality. The cultural memory of conflict is deeply woven into the image, wouldn’t you say? Even today we link conflict with specific traits… What might Quellinus be saying about our impulse to create heroes and villains, even in times of brutal conflict? Editor: That's really interesting. I hadn't thought about how much we rely on these narratives, these symbolic leaders. Curator: Indeed. Think of how throughout history, rulers are painted on horseback to express a specific vision. Quellinus invites us to contemplate the human cost of such portrayals. Editor: Looking at it again, the seemingly unfinished quality almost reinforces the idea of the never-ending cycle of violence. It’s not a glorification but a recognition of a tragic pattern. Curator: Precisely. Through symbolic images and composition, artists create enduring narratives, whether intentional or not. And engaging with that imagery reveals deeper insights into history and our human experience.