A Potentate Accompanied by His Halberd Bearer 1625 - 1630

This drawing by Jusepe de Ribera depicts a potentate with his halberd bearer and is rendered in a striking red chalk against a grid backdrop. The grid, a structural element, immediately draws attention to the constructed nature of the image. It divides the composition into precise units, suggesting a deliberate attempt to impose order on the figures. The potentate, with his elaborate turban and sword, stands tall and commanding. The halberd bearer is drawn on a smaller scale which emphasizes the power dynamic and the potentate's superior position. However, Ribera's choice of red chalk—a medium known for its warmth and immediacy—softens the potential harshness of this hierarchy. The linear quality of the drawing further accentuates this sense of imposed structure, while the cross-hatching creates subtle tonal variations, giving depth to the figures. Ultimately, the grid serves not only as an organizational tool but also disrupts our reading of the drawing as a straightforward representation. It reminds us that every image is mediated, constructed, and subject to interpretation.