Standing Officer Holding a Boar's Spear

Download2560 × 3400 px View on a wall Edit

Artist: Hendrik Goltzius (Dutch, 1558–1617)
Medium: Pen and brown ink, brush and brown wash, red chalk with traces of white opaque watercolor over black chalk, on paper; traces of transfer
Size: Sheet: 20.6 x 15.6 cm (8 1/8 x 6 1/8 in.)
Culture: Netherlands, Haarlem, 16th century
Museum: Cleveland Museum of Art
Rights: CC0 — no rights reserved

This sheet is the only known preparatory drawing for an important group of engravings depicting military figures designed by Hendrick Goltzius between 1582 and 1600. Here Goltzius depicted a military officer with a confident stance and direct gaze as he staunchly holds a spear in his right hand and carries his sword on his hip. Details such as the fluttering scarf and the feather-trimmed hat enliven the image.

The background portrays the deeds of the protagonist, including a scene with troops on the right, and two other officers, perhaps shown training with spears, on the left. Such imagery usually promoted militaristic values such as bravery in the period, as the Netherlands underwent continuous warfare with Spain. Goltzius's technique includes fine pen strokes and delicate brown washes combined with red chalk additions on the face and hands, which add a degree of naturalism and finish to the drawing.