De man met de vuurpijl - Cornelis Dusart

A detailed mezzotint by Cornelis Dusart depicting a man preparing a firework, accompanied by the inscription 'Peace is better than victory'.

Cornelis Dusart, a pupil of Adriaen van Ostade, was a master of the mezzotint technique. This print, titled De man met de vuurpijl, captures a figure engaged in the preparation of pyrotechnics. The artist employs the tonal capabilities of the mezzotint process to create a dramatic interplay between light and shadow, which defines the contours of the man's clothing and the metallic sheen of the rocket components.

The figure stands in a slightly contorted pose, his attention fixed on the fuse of the firework held in his hands. He carries a bundle of additional rockets at his hip, suggesting a professional or perhaps festive context. The background remains dark and atmospheric, pushing the subject forward and focusing the viewer on the tactile details of the scene, from the coarse fabric of his garments to the smooth surface of the rocket casing.

At the base of the print, an inscription reads 'Vreede is beter als overwinning', which translates to 'Peace is better than victory'. This moralising sentiment was common in Dutch genre prints of the period, often providing a philosophical counterpoint to the mundane or humorous activities depicted. Dusart was known for his interest in the lives of common people, and this work reflects his ability to elevate a simple, everyday task into a carefully composed study of form and texture. The print demonstrates the technical precision required for mezzotint, where the artist works from dark to light by burnishing the copper plate to achieve varying degrees of luminosity. The result is a velvety, deep black background that provides a stark contrast to the illuminated figure, creating a sense of volume and presence that is characteristic of Dusart's output during the late seventeenth century.