Plate 12: A soldier on horseback, holding a musket in his right hand, in profile descending a slope towards the right, other soldiers on horseback to right in the background, from 'Various Figures' (Agréable diversité de figures) 1642

This etching by Stefano della Bella, made in the 17th century, depicts a soldier on horseback, descending a slope with a musket in hand. The horse and rider motif is a powerful symbol, steeped in centuries of cultural significance, representing power, nobility, and martial prowess. The image is reminiscent of equestrian statues of Roman emperors, where the horse symbolized control and dominion. Yet, here, the soldier is not an emperor, but a figure amidst other soldiers, suggesting a shift from individual glory to a collective military endeavor. Notice how the musket, a relatively new weapon at the time, points towards the future of warfare, where individual skill is somewhat supplanted by technological advancement. This evokes a complex emotional response, a blend of admiration for the soldier's duty and anxiety about the changing nature of conflict. It’s a motif that resurfaces throughout history, each time carrying echoes of the past even as it reflects the present.