Ruiterformaties (Prima) 1667

This is a drawn artwork by Jan van Ossenbeeck, made in 1624, depicting "Ruiterformaties (Prima)". The composition is immediately striking with its formal arrangement of horsemen within a defined space. The figures are methodically placed, creating a patterned visual effect that is not just representational, but structurally organized. Van Ossenbeeck's approach seems to engage with the semiotic possibilities of formation. Each group of horsemen acts as a sign, contributing to a larger symbolic order, perhaps reflecting the regimented society of the time. The lines and shapes created by the arrangement challenge our notions of space and representation. The artist here transforms simple figures into a complex interplay of signs and meanings. This calculated arrangement hints at a deeper narrative or codified message embedded within the artwork.