Soldaat met geweer in de hand 1800 - 1841

This is "Soldier with Gun in Hand," a print by Joannes Bemme, made with etching. The subject, a soldier, is composed with an acute diagonal dynamism that captures the eye, set against the static verticality of a tree. Bemme has carefully composed the print to draw our attention to the tension between these elements. The soldier, weighed down with gear, leans forward into the pictorial space. He is not relaxed but instead advances with focused attention and determined gaze. Bemme’s use of line and shading creates a sense of depth and texture. The crisp, controlled lines defining the figure contrast with the more organic, almost chaotic lines of the forest. This highlights the soldier's artificial position within this natural setting. The composition suggests a subtle commentary on the individual within a larger, uncontrollable environment. The figure, though armed, seems small against the backdrop of nature. The soldier's posture, the sharp angles of his body, and the contrast in textures reflect the broader tensions between order and chaos.