Sunday, September 25, 2016

Baroque Soldiers by Hendrik Goltzius

Hendrik Goltzius
Allegory of Fame and History
1586
engraving
Princeton University Art Museum

But now he far'd like Mars himselfe, so brandishing his lance;
As through the deepe shades of a hill, a raging fire should glance;
Held up to all eyes by a hill; about his lips a fome
Stood; as when th'Ocean is enrag'd; his eyes were overcome
With fervour, and resembl'd flames; set off, by his darke browes:
And from his temples, his bright helme, abhorred lightnings throwes.
For Jove, from foorth the sphere of starres, to his state, put his owne;
And all the blaze of both the hosts, confin'd, in him alone.
And all this was, since after this, he had not long to live; 
This lightning flew before his death; which Pallas was to give,
(A small time thence, and now prepar'd) beneath the violence
Of great Pelides. In meane time, his present eminence,
Thought all things under it: and he, still where he saw the stands
of greatest strength, and bravest arm'd, there he would prove his hands:
Or no where; offering to breake through. But that past all his powre, 
Although his will, were past all theirs; they stood him like a towre
Conjoynd so firme: that as a rocke, exsceeding high and great;
And standing neare the hoarie sea, beares many a boisterous threate
Of high-voic't winds, and billowes huge, belcht on it by the stormes;
So stood the Greeks great Hectors charge, nor stird their battellous formes. 

 from Book XV of the Iliad, translated by George Chapman (ca. 1559-1634)

Hendrik Goltzius
Sergeant
1587
engraving
Princeton University Art Museum

Hendrik Goltzius
Drummer
1587
engraving
Princeton University Art Museum

Hendrik Goltzius
Soldier with Broadsword and Shield
1587
engraving
Princeton University Art Museum

Hendrik Goltzius
Musketeer
1587
engraving
Princeton University Art Museum

Hendrik Goltzius
Pikeman
1587
engraving
Princeton University Art Museum

Hendrik Goltzius
Standard Bearer 
1587
engraving
Princeton University Art Museum

Hendrik Goltzius
Standard Bearer
1585
engraving
Princeton University Art Museum

Hendrik Goltzius
Allegory of Rome
1586
engraving
Princeton University Art Museum

Hendrik Goltzius
Titus Manlius Torquatus
1586
engraving
Princeton University Art Museum

Hendrik Goltzius
Horatius Cocles
1586
engraving
Princeton University Art Museum

Hendrik Goltzius
Calphurnius
1586
engraving
Princeton University Art Museum

Hendrik Goltzius
Marcus Valerius Corvus
1586
engraving
Princeton University Art Museum

Hendrik Goltzius
Marcus Curtius
1586
engraving
Princeton University Art Museum

I am grateful for the excellent images made available by Princeton University Art Museum.