Ruiterformaties (Dodecima) 1667

This etching by Jan van Ossenbeeck, titled "Ruiterformaties (Dodecima)", presents us with an intricate equestrian display, frozen in ink. The riders, adorned with elaborate plumes, execute precise maneuvers, arranged in a circular formation which evokes both order and dynamism. The horse, a symbol of power and nobility, carries its rider through the ages, from the battlefields of antiquity to the Renaissance courts, where equestrian ballets were performed. Consider the prancing horses in Paolo Uccello's "Battle of San Romano", mirroring the same spirit of controlled energy we see here. This choreography is not merely aesthetic; it is a testament to the human desire to control and master nature. The image resonates with a deep-seated psychological desire for harmony and control. This dance of power, this carefully orchestrated display, taps into our collective memory of dominance and order. It is a symbol that resurfaces, evolved, and laden with new meanings in different historical contexts.