Officier van het Regim.t Lanciers 1835 - 1850

Albertus Verhoesen created this print depicting an officer of the Lancer Regiment. The figure of the horseman, poised and controlled, immediately brings to mind the classical equestrian statues of antiquity. These monuments were potent symbols of power, echoing the authority of Roman emperors. Here, the raised horse becomes a signifier of military dominance, its rearing stance reminiscent of the *affetti*—the passionate gestures found in Renaissance art, such as the works of Donatello. The horse’s dynamic pose charges the image with an assertive energy. Note the officer's ceremonial saber; the hilt, often adorned with symbolic emblems, transforms a functional weapon into a totem of leadership. Over time, the sword has morphed from a tool of combat to an emblem of status, as seen in countless portraits of rulers and military leaders. The image's emotive power lies in its ability to evoke courage, pride, and the often-fraught relationship between man, beast, and dominion.