Netherlands, Haarlem, 16th century / 1586
Standing Officer Holding a Boar's Spear
The Cleveland Museum of Art catalogs Standing Officer Holding a Boar's Spear as drawing (Netherlands, Haarlem, 16th century · 1586).
This military officer brandishes a type of spear used for boar hunting, in which the two lugs on the blade were meant to keep the animal from pushing its way up the spear to attack the hunter.
A CLOSER LOOK
The museum identifies this drawing as Pen and brown ink, brush and brown wash, red chalk with traces of white opaque watercolor over black chalk, on paper; traces of transfer and credits Hendrick Goltzius (Dutch, 1558–1617).
The museum's collection notes: 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
FOLLOW THE EVIDENCE
The Cleveland Museum of ArtStanding Officer Holding a Boar's SpearOriginal explanation based on the sources above. Images carry their own reuse terms.