Degens 1884 - 1886

George Hendrik Breitner made this sketch of swords, or “Degens,” with black chalk. The sword is a powerful symbol, laden with meaning far beyond its function as a weapon. It speaks of honor, justice, and authority, embodying the courage of the warrior. We see the sword used in knighting ceremonies, and ancient Roman art depicts emperors with swords, as a symbol of their power. The symbolic weight of the sword evolved from antiquity to the Middle Ages, when the shape of the sword and its presence in rituals became central to the chivalric code. The weapon, and the concepts of valor and nobility that it represents, continues to surface in art. One may say that the sword engages us on a subconscious level because it is deeply embedded in our cultural memory as a signifier of heroism. It continues its non-linear progression throughout history, reappearing with new nuances.