DISCOVERART

Jacob de Gheyn, II

A Soldier Loading a Musket, "Ramme in Your Pouder"

1596/98
Pen and brown ink, brush and gray wash, and traces of black chalk on ivory laid paper, incised for transfer
26.7 × 18.4 cm (10.5 × 7.2 in)

SEE IT IN PERSON

Not currently on view

In the collection of Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago · as of July 2026

View at artic.edu ↗Plan a visit ↗

Discussion

FROM THE ART INSTITUTE OF CHICAGO’S CATALOG

Jacques de Gheyn produced over 100 drawings for a groundbreaking 1607 Dutch military manual The Exercise of Arms. The drawings, a series of images that capture precise military maneuvers and show the appropriate tackle for each type of soldier, were then engraved for publication. For A Soldier Loading a Musket, de Gheyn drew the figure clearly and confidently with thin brown lines, adding gray wash to suggest volume and texture. This clarity was necessary for the engraver who would copy it onto a copper plate. In the printed version, a command instructed the soldier to ram powder into their musket.

Source ↗

Be the first to share your thoughts.

Sign in to join the discussion.

Community guidelines

More by Jacob de Gheyn, II

Tycho Brahe, AstronomerTycho Brahe, AstronomerWitches Preparing for SabbathWitches Preparing for SabbathMark, from The EvangelistsMark, from The EvangelistsHugo GrotiusHugo GrotiusHugo GrotiusHugo GrotiusBenjamin, from The Twelve Sons of JacobBenjamin, from The Twelve Sons of JacobJohn, from The EvangelistsJohn, from The EvangelistsChrist on the Cross between Two ThievesChrist on the Cross between Two Thieves

More like this

A soldier blowing on a match, from the Musketeers series, plate 40, in Wapenhandelinghe van Roers Musquetten Ende Spiessen (The Exercise of Arms)Jacques de Gheyn II — A soldier blowing on a match, from theArtillerymanWorkshop of Jacob de Gheyn, II — ArtillerymanA soldier pouring powder into the pan, from the Marksmen series, plate 16, in Waffenhandlung von den Rören Musquetten undt Spiessen / Wapenhandelinghe van Roers Musquetten ende Spiessen (The Exercise of Arms)Jacques de Gheyn II|Jacques de Gheyn II|Robert Willemsz de BA soldier shaking the powder from the top of the pan, from the Musketeers series, plate 19, in Wapenhandelinghe van Roers Musquetten Ende Spiessen (The Exercise of Arms)Jacques de Gheyn II|Jacques de Gheyn II — A soldier shaking A soldier pulling out the ramrod from its holder, from the Musketeers series, plate 25, in Wapenhandelinghe van Roers Musquetten Ende Spiessen (The Exercise of Arms)Jacques de Gheyn II|Jacques de Gheyn II — A soldier pulling A soldier taking aim, from the Marksmen series, plate 11, in Waffenhandlung von den Rören Musquetten undt Spiessen / Wapenhandelinghe van Roers Musquetten ende Spiessen (The Exercise of Arms)Jacques de Gheyn II|Jacques de Gheyn II|Robert Willemsz de BThe Soldier Carrying His Pike at the SlopeJacques de Gheyn II — The Soldier Carrying His Pike at the SA soldier on guard shaping the match between his thumb and his forefinger, from the Marksmen series, plate 41, in Wapenhandelinghe van Roers Musquetten Ende Spiessen (The Exercise of Arms)Jacques de Gheyn II|Jacques de Gheyn II — A soldier on guardA soldier holding up his caliver in his right hand and extending his left to receive it, from the Marksmen series, plate 3, in Waffenhandlung von den Rören Musquetten undt Spiessen / Wapenhandelinghe van Roers Musquetten Ende Spiessen (The Exercise of Arms)Jacques de Gheyn II|Jacques de Gheyn II|Robert Willemsz de BA soldier charging his caliver which is held stock down, from the Marksmen series, plate 23, in Waffenhandlung von den Rören Musquetten undt Spiessen / Wapenhandelinghe van Roers Musquetten ende Spiessen (The Exercise of Arms)Jacques de Gheyn II|Jacques de Gheyn II|Robert Willemsz de BA soldier carrying his pike at the slope, from the Lansquenets series, plate 11, in Waffenhandlung von den Rören Musquetten undt Spiessen / Wapenhandelinghe van Roers Musquetten ende Spiessen (The Exercise of Arms)Jacques de Gheyn II|Jacques de Gheyn II|Robert Willemsz de BA soldier sliding his right hand along the training-pike, from the Lansquenets series, plate 22, in Wapenhandelinghe van Roers Musquetten Ende Spiessen (The Exercise of Arms)Jacques de Gheyn II|Jacques de Gheyn II — A soldier sliding