Zittende krijgsman 1811 - 1867

Christiaan Wilhelmus Moorrees created this print, 'Zittende krijgsman', an image dominated by cross-hatching in black ink on paper. The composition centers on a seated soldier, adorned in armor and a feathered hat, which creates a compelling study of texture and form. The cross-hatching technique gives the piece a remarkable tonal range, from the deep shadows behind the figure to the reflective surfaces of the armor. Moorrees’ use of line is particularly striking. It not only defines the contours of the soldier’s body and attire but also suggests a play of light across the metallic surfaces and soft plumage. This attention to detail invites a semiotic reading, where the armor, hat, and sword function as signs of military status and power. The overall structure of the image, with its emphasis on the materiality of both the subject and the medium, leads us to consider how Moorrees uses form to communicate ideas about identity, representation and the enduring legacy of military might.