Rytterkamp 1632 - 1690

Adam Frans van der Meulen made this drawing of a cavalry battle with pen and brown ink, brush and grey wash, and some red chalk. The churning scene may appear timeless, but it reflects very specific concerns of the 17th century in Europe, a time of almost constant warfare and the rise of the modern state. Van der Meulen specialized in battle scenes, often depicting Louis XIV's military campaigns. Though this work isn't directly linked to a specific event or royal commission, it echoes the visual rhetoric of power employed during the period. Consider how the artist uses dynamic composition and dramatic lighting to convey the chaos and violence of battle, while also highlighting the central figures, presumably commanders, leading their troops. This image speaks to the glorification of warfare prevalent in the 17th century, but it doesn't shy away from showing its brutal reality. To fully understand this work, we might look at period military histories, costume books, and even treatises on horsemanship. This work reminds us that art is always shaped by the social and political context in which it is made.