Staande officier met wandelstok, van opzij gezien 1630 - 1665

Salomon Savery created this etching of a standing officer with a walking stick in the Netherlands in the 17th century. Images like this offer a fascinating window onto the social hierarchies of the time. The officer, with his elaborate costume, lace collar, feathered hat, and swagger stick, embodies the visual codes of status and authority. His clothing speaks to the economic structures that supported the production of luxury goods and the social norms that dictated who could wear them. In the background, Savery has added a classical archway, a conventional indication of the sitter's refinement. What’s remarkable about prints like this is that it makes this image of power mobile. It was part of a series of military figures and this circulation speaks to the image of the military in the Netherlands at this time. By consulting costume books, military records, and other period documents, we can continue to unpack the complex social meanings embedded in this seemingly simple portrait.