Twee soldaten met speren 1620 - 1664

Stefano della Bella made this print of two soldiers with spears sometime in the mid-17th century. The print’s matter-of-fact approach to its subject reflects the rise of empiricism and the scientific method in the Netherlands at this time. This work also bears witness to the transformation of military training during the period. It was a time of intense European conflict and competition, the Dutch Republic included. Manuals and prints such as this served as visual aids for training soldiers. Rather than glorifying war, the artist focuses on the practical aspects of combat, emphasizing the importance of disciplined action, a key ingredient in the rise of state power. To understand the historical importance of this print, we need to examine its place within the broader visual culture of military training. By studying the manuals and treatises of the time, as well as the biographies of artists like della Bella, we can gain a deeper appreciation for the social and institutional contexts that shaped the production and reception of this work.