De exercitie met schild en spies: de soldaat staande in rust met het schild op de rug (nr. 27), 1618 1616 - 1618

Adam van Breen created this print, "The exercise with shield and spear," in 1618 using etching and engraving techniques. It’s part of a series illustrating military exercises, reflecting the militaristic culture of the Netherlands during the early 17th century. This image captures a soldier at rest, shield on his back, during a period of intense military development in the Dutch Republic. At the time, the Dutch were engaged in the Eighty Years' War against Spain. Military competence and national identity were closely intertwined. The print suggests the emphasis on discipline and training, pivotal for the success of the Dutch army. The institutions of military training, the manuals produced, and the visual culture surrounding the military all contributed to shaping a sense of national purpose and Protestant identity. To understand this work more fully, one might delve into military archives, period training manuals, and the broader context of Dutch Golden Age art and its relationship to national identity. Examining how art serves the state, especially during times of conflict, offers insights into its enduring relevance.