Soldier Receiving an Order from a Sitting Officer
1626
ink
paper
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
About the artist
1626
ink
paper
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
Soldier Receiving an Order from a Sitting Officer is a 1626 ink by Pieter Molijn, a Baroque work, held at National Gallery of Art.
This etching shows a soldier standing under a bare tree, holding a rolled paper while a seated officer points at something. In the background, another soldier sits near a broken fence, and a small crowd gathers near a ruined wall. The scene looks like a quiet moment in a war-torn village, with twisted branches and scattered debris on the ground. The artist used sharp lines to show the rough texture of clothes and the rougher mood of the setting. The way the seated officer leans forward suggests he’s giving important orders, while the standing soldier looks ready to act. Next, check out the technique: etching to see how artists like this made detailed prints.
