Soldier on guard with an arquebus taking the match (no. 38), ca. 1600
From the collection of Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam. Free to download, adapt and use — no permission needed.
A soldier on guard, full-length, facing right, holding a matchlock (a specific type of firearm) with his left hand. In his left hand, besides the matchlock, he holds a lit match (no. 38), ca. 1600. With his right hand he grasps this match. This is the same position as the one shown in the fifth print of the series. Plate 38 in the instructions for handling the matchlock: Brief enseignement, sur la representation des figures, du droit maniement de l'Harquebuse. Part of the illustrations in a French edition of J. de Gheyn's Wapenhandelinghe: J. de Gheyn, Maniement d'armes, d'arquebuses, mousquetz et piques : en conformité de l'ordre de Mour le Prince Maurice, Prince d'Orange, Amsterdam 1608. Military affairs around 1600.
Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam’s own description