Bronze on a wooden base. Height: 32 cm.
Limited edition of 49 pieces.
Soldier of the Spanish Tercios 17th Century
This sculpture by José Crespo depicts a soldier of the Spanish Tercios from the 17th century, one of the most formidable military units in history. Crafted in bronze, the piece captures the soldier in an upright and vigilant pose, with his weapon resting on the ground. The attention to detail in the soldier’s attire is remarkable, from the broad hat to the breeches, shoes, and the folds of the uniform, reflecting the military fashion of the era.
The bronze features a patina that adds depth and enhances the textures, highlighting the creases and details in the uniform and equipment. The soldier’s expression is calm and focused, portraying an image of discipline and readiness. The weapon, a musket from the period, is represented with precision, reflecting historical authenticity and the artist’s dedication to detail.
The sculpture is mounted on a polished wooden base, adding a warm and elegant contrast to the bronze. This base not only provides stability but also completes the piece, allowing it to stand out in any setting.
«The idea of creating this figure came to me as soon as I arrived in Belgium, as it was in these lands where the Spanish Tercios marched, and just a bit further north where the origin of the Immaculate Conception as the patron saint of Spanish Infantry emerged. It was during what came to be known as the «Miracle of Empel,» when, on December 7, 1585, the Tercio of Maestre de Campo Francisco de Bobadilla was fighting on the island of Bommel, completely blockaded by a Dutch squadron. The situation was dire for the Spanish, and when the enemy offered an honorable surrender, the Spanish response was clear: «The Spanish Infantry prefers death to dishonor.» A soldier from the Tercio, while digging a trench, came across a wooden object buried in the ground; it was a Flemish panel depicting the image of the Immaculate Conception. What followed is history… The best infantry in the world!
I cannot deny that reading the first four books of Captain Alatriste by Arturo Pérez-Reverte all at once gave me the push I needed to start sculpting this figure.
Although there is not much documentation about the uniforms of that time, what is clear is that «uniformity was far from uniform,» so for this piece, I combined images from various engravings of the era and photographs.
I began the figure in Mons in January 2005 and completed it there at the end of February of the same year.»
José Crespo
