Ruiter met speer, op de rug gezien 1590 - 1612

This drawing depicts a horseman with a spear, rendered with striking attention to the tension between man and beast. Note the rearing horse, a motif echoing the classical world where it symbolized power, virility, and dominion. Yet, consider how this symbol evolved: from the triumphant Roman equestrian statues to its adoption in Renaissance art, where it became a signifier of noble virtue and leadership. Here, the rider, seen from behind, brandishes a spear – an age-old symbol of war and authority. This imagery taps into our collective memory, stirring subconscious associations with conflict and heroism. The spear, reaching skyward, also becomes a potent image of aspiration, connecting earthly struggles with higher ideals. It is through such recurring motifs that we grasp how symbols retain their emotional weight, continuously re-emerging to shape our understanding across centuries.