Staande hellebaardier, naast een gordijn 1848 - 1862

Célestin Nanteuil created this print titled, "Standing Halberdier, Next to a Curtain," using etching techniques. The artwork, rendered in monochrome, presents a study in contrasts. The halberdier, adorned in ornate garb, is juxtaposed against the plain backdrop of a wall and curtain. Note how Nanteuil uses line and shadow to define the figure’s form and clothing. The composition is carefully structured, with the figure leaning casually against the wall, creating a diagonal line that intersects with the vertical lines of the curtain. The curtain itself introduces a theatrical element. The halberdier's placement, half in shadow and half in light, destabilizes our reading, and opens up different interpretations. Is he a guard, an actor, or something in between? Nanteuil has used an established historical symbol in an innovative and striking way, prompting us to reconsider the way we perceive familiar imagery.