Generaal voor zijn cavalerie 1573

Jost Amman created this engraving titled "General before his cavalry". Observe the figure of the general on horseback, a motif extending back to antiquity. The horse here is not merely a mode of transport, it is an emblem of power, virility, and triumph. We can see the embodiment of the psychological complex of conquest, the leader elevated above the masses, both literally and figuratively. This image echoes in triumphal arches and equestrian statues throughout history, each reiterating the leader's dominance. Even the spears held aloft by the cavalry resonate with the classical Roman "manipulus," reflecting an obsession with order, control, and martial prowess. Note how such representations elicit not only admiration but also fear. This emotional response is cultivated to ensure obedience, to solidify the leader's position in the collective psyche. The image of the leader becomes a mnemonic device, a symbol triggering deep-seated responses of submission and reverence. Thus the symbol of the general on horseback cycles through time, continually reshaping and reaffirming power structures.