Ruiter in uniform, van achteren gezien 1839 - 1915

Cornelis Albertus Johannes Schermer created this print of a uniformed rider on horseback, a window into 19th-century military imagery. Notice how the rider is viewed from behind, a motif that has haunted art across centuries. The Rückenfigur, as it is known, invites us to project ourselves into the scene, sharing the soldier's unknown destiny. This pose echoes through Caspar David Friedrich's landscapes and reappears even in modern cinema, each time evoking contemplation on the human condition. The horse itself, rearing slightly, is a potent symbol of power and vitality, reminiscent of equestrian statues of emperors, though here diminished. We can sense the psychological tension between control and wildness, the rider holding the reins of his spirited steed. This push and pull resonates deeply, reminding us that symbols evolve, yet their primal roots remain.