A Pike in Flanders
This sculpture by José Crespo, titled «A Pike in Flanders,» depicts a pikeman of the Spanish Tercios in a dynamic and action-filled pose. Crafted in bronze, the piece captures the soldier in the midst of combat, with his long pike extended and his body leaning forward in anticipation of an enemy cavalry charge. The precise representation of the uniform and equipment of the time highlights the artist’s attention to detail and dedication to historical authenticity.
The bronze features a patina that adds depth and enhances the textures of the sculpture, particularly in the uniform and the focused expression of the pikeman. The soldier’s crouched, ready-for-battle posture conveys a sense of tension and movement, evoking the bravery and determination of the Tercios soldiers during the battles in Flanders.
The sculpture is mounted on a polished wooden base, providing a warm and elegant contrast to the cool metal of the bronze. This base not only adds stability but also frames the piece in a way that accentuates its dynamism and the sculptor’s craftsmanship.
«In the 16th century, the quintessential weapon of the Spanish Tercios was the pike, considered at the time to be “the queen of weapons.” Pikemen formed into squadrons flanked by sleeves of arquebusiers, revolutionizing the art of war and ending the dominance of heavy cavalry on the battlefield.
New recruits joining the Tercios typically began as “dry pikes,” meaning soldiers armed with a pike but without any protection. Over time, as a soldier gained experience, he could purchase a cuirass or armor and become a coselete, a pikeman protected by some armor who, in combat, would form in front of the dry pikes. Upon becoming a coselete, he also received higher pay. From there, he could continue advancing, potentially becoming an arquebusier or musketeer. If he demonstrated the necessary qualities, he could ascend through the ranks. Although there was no minimum period specified, it was estimated that it took five years to be promoted to corporal and another year to become a sergeant. After two more years, he could become an ensign, and with one additional year, a captain. In other words, in approximately ten years, if all went well and he demonstrated exceptional skills, he could become a captain. At every stage of his service, the soldier had to exhibit the physical and moral qualities necessary to withstand the hardships of the campaigns.
The soldier of this period was trained to see himself as a defender of the Catholic religion and as someone who maintained or expanded the possessions of the King of Spain. Educated in the tradition of the Reconquista, as a soldier, he was the heir to a nation that, after 700 years of war, was accustomed to earning its living by the sword.
Well… here you have the figure of the pica seca from the Tercios. After securing a pose from a reenactor pikeman, I began the figure in March 2015, upon my return from the Central African Republic, and had it ready for casting by the end of April that year.
I hope you like it.»
José Crespo
