De exercitie met schild en spies: de soldaat brengt in drie tijden de spies weer terug in de rustpositie, derde beweging (nr. 12), 1618 1616 - 1618

This engraving, made in 1618 by Adam van Breen, meticulously captures a soldier's drill movement. The use of line is dominant, defining the contours of the soldier and his equipment with precision. Notice how the artist uses the line to create a contrast between the soldier's detailed garments and the stark, open space surrounding him, drawing our eye to the figure. The soldier is depicted holding a spear and shield, their circular forms disrupting the verticality of the spear and the soldier's posture. This deliberate composition creates a balance between movement and stillness. The repetitive motion, implied by the title, is arrested in a single frame. The choice of engraving amplifies the graphic qualities of the image, emphasizing form and structure over tonal variation. This reflects a period interest in rational order, capturing an exercise in controlled, precise action. The artwork thus becomes a study in the semiotics of military posture, where each stance and gesture carries meaning within a larger system of martial practice.