Staande soldaat met borstkuras en speer 1630 - 1665

Salomon Savery made this print of a standing soldier with breastplate and spear. It is striking how the soldier’s spear pierces the pictorial space, acting as both a weapon and a symbolic staff of authority. Consider the lance not merely as an instrument of war, but as a visual echo of ancient scepters, and even the staffs carried by figures in classical processions. The spear, thus, transcends its martial function. It embodies power and legitimacy. Think, for example, of the Roman emperors depicted with a scepter, or the lances wielded by knights in medieval tapestries. The subconscious yearning for order and protection is evoked by such representations of strength and authority. The evolution of such symbols demonstrates humanity's continuous negotiation with power and control. Each era molds them to reflect its unique anxieties and aspirations, ensuring that even in the modern age, these symbols retain their capacity to resonate deeply within our collective psyche.