Vaandeldrager 1587 - 1596

The "Vaandeldrager" (Standard Bearer) is a 16th century engraving by an anonymous artist now housed in the Rijksmuseum. The artwork depicts a man in a dramatic pose, holding a flag aloft. The engraving is in the style of Mannerism, a movement that emphasized the exaggerated pose and elongated limbs. This style is often found in artistic representations of the human form. The print is in black and white and shows the detail of the soldiers in their uniforms. The image is fragmented, with the figure of the soldier separated from his body, suggesting the vulnerability of the soldier in war.