Part of a larger series depicting infantry uniforms of the Netherlands, The Colonel uses dress in tandem with physicality to portray a proud member of a successful military regiment. The wrinkles on the Colonel’s forehead juxtaposed with his muscular legs show a battle-tested yet strong tactician, able to lead Dutch troops to a swift, decisive victory. For a late 16th-century Dutch viewer, such shows of masculinity would have been a sign of resilience and reassurance of protection so soon after the devastating Spanish siege of Haarlem in 1572-73. (BR)