De exercitie met schild en spies: de soldaat brengt in twee tijden de spies in positie om te slepen, tweede beweging (nr. 14), 1618 1616 - 1618

Adam van Breen created this print in 1618, depicting a soldier with shield and spear. The work immediately strikes us with its attention to detail, particularly in the texture and form of the soldier’s attire. Van Breen meticulously renders each piece of armor and fabric, providing a tactile sense of the materials. The composition is structured around the central figure, whose posture suggests movement frozen in time. This arrested motion, combined with the static nature of printmaking, creates a tension between action and stillness. The interplay of light and shadow accentuates the contours of the soldier's body, adding depth to the otherwise flat plane. The colors, though muted, are deliberately placed to draw the eye, leading us to consider the symbolic weight of each element. Ultimately, the piece functions as more than just a portrait. It is an exploration into how we represent movement and presence through form and composition. Meaning is created through semiotic signifiers of status, of wealth and of military might. The piece destabilizes the traditional conventions of portraiture, opening up conversations about the very nature of representation.