Design for the Title Page of "The Exercise of Cavalry"

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Artist: Jacob de Gheyn II (Dutch, 1565–1629)
Medium: Pen and brown ink, brush with gray wash; incised for transfer
Size: 15.6 × 20.6 cm (6 1/8 × 8 1/8 in.)
Culture: Dutch
Museum: J. Paul Getty Museum
Rights: CC0 — no rights reserved

An armored and an unarmored cavalryman lean against the frame of an empty cartouche that pliantly melts into grotesque strapwork. A witty arrangement of equestrian accouterments decorates the top and bottom, including a saddle laden with weapons, flags, stirrups, a curry comb, and other brushes. A laurel-crowned skull and smoking trumpets below symbolize death and fame. The guns and blades that extend up and down from the cartouche evoke the battle charge and give a three-dimensional depth to the scene.

Jacques de Gheyn drew this elaborate frame as a model in reverse for the title page of The Exercise of Arms, published in 1607. Conceived as a military handbook for the cavalry regiments of the Dutch army, The Exercise of Arms contained twenty-two designs. Count Johann II of Nassau-Siegen commissioned the text to give the Dutch horse guards a set of clear and systematic military procedures for training soldiers.

Text: J. Paul Getty Trust, CC BY 4.0.