A soldier, seen from the rear, while turning to the right and holding his pike horizontally, from the Lansquenets series, plate 30, in Wapenhandelinghe van Roers Musquetten Ende Spiessen (The Exercise of Arms) 1575 - 1629

This is an engraving made by Jacques de Gheyn II, part of a series called "The Exercise of Arms." It shows a soldier holding a pike, from the rear. De Gheyn created this series in the Netherlands during a time of significant military innovation and social change. The detailed depiction of the soldier, his armor, and weapon, reflects the period's emphasis on military preparedness. The series, published as a manual, served a practical purpose, aiming to standardize military training and tactics, particularly during the Eighty Years' War, when the Dutch fought for independence from Spain. We must also consider the social context of such military imagery. It served not only as a training tool but also as a form of propaganda, influencing public opinion and national identity. Close examination of historical texts, military manuals, and art from the period allows us to better understand the interplay between art, war, and society in the early modern Netherlands.