Behelmter Landsknecht im Profil nach rechts 

Johan le Ducq’s drawing, ‘Behelmter Landsknecht im Profil nach rechts’ at the Städel Museum, presents a figure rendered almost entirely in neutral tones. The composition, dominated by the soldier's stance in profile, emphasizes the verticality of the figure against the flatness of the paper, creating a study in form and texture. Le Ducq uses hatching and cross-hatching to model the contours of the Landsknecht's armor and clothing, which serve to enhance the figure's tactile quality through the modulation of light and shadow. The use of line is particularly striking. The lines vary in weight and density, to map the textures of metal and fabric, enriching the visual experience. The soldier's downcast gaze and the artist's attention to the details of the attire, prompt a meditation on the codes and symbols of military identity in the 17th century. While seemingly a straightforward depiction, the artwork invites us to consider how formal elements like line and shading can convey nuanced meanings about social roles and personal introspection.