German Joust of Peace

c.1512-1515

German 16th Century

Associated Names
German 16th Century

Artist

This is a painting of two armored knights engaged in a jousting match. The painting depicts a scene where one knight, dressed in silver armor with accents of red, is mounted on a brown horse that is rearing up on its hind legs. The opposite knight is seen falling backwards off his horse, clad in a green robe and armor. The image illustrates the moment of impact with lances in the air, one of which has struck the green knight. The horses are depicted with detailed trappings and expressions, and the overall scene is dynamically presented. The use of watercolor and careful line work adds to the tension and movement of the image. This is in the style of Hans Burgkmair.

Media Options

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Artwork overview

  • Medium

    pen and brown ink with watercolor over black chalk on laid paper

  • Credit Line

    Rosenwald Collection

  • Dimensions

    sheet: 34.1 × 26.2 cm (13 7/16 × 10 5/16 in.)

  • Accession Number

    1943.3.4433

  • Series Title

    Freydal, The Book of Jousts and Tournaments of Emperor Maximilian I: Combats on Horseback (Volume I)

Associated Artworks

See all 76 artworks
This is a painting of a jousting scene with armored horses and riders. The painting shows two armored figures, each on horseback, engaging in a jousting tournament. One horse and its rider are depicted in colorful armor, including a decorative flourish of flowers. The other figure has been unhorsed and is on the ground, covered in a green cloth that extends over the horse. The composition captures the moment of action and skill, with the energy of the horses and the intricacies of their armor depicted through delicate brushwork and a muted color palette. The style resembles medieval manuscript illustrations.

German Joust of Peace

German 16th Century

1515

Freydal, The Book of Jousts and Tournaments of Emperor Maximilian I: Combats on Horseback (Volume I)

German 16th Century

1515

This is a drawing of a jousting scene. It features an armored rider on horseback with a long lance, engaged in a jousting match. The rider is leaning towards the ground, indicating motion of the lance as if striking a target. Another figure lies on the ground, seemingly dislodged from their horse. The horses are adorned in decorative caparisons with green and yellow patterns. The artwork portrays the movement and drama of a jousting scene, showcasing the elaborate armor and attire characteristic of medieval tournaments, offering insight into the pageantry and competitiveness of the era.

German Joust of Peace

German 16th Century

1515

Artwork history & notes

Provenance

Frédéric de Pourtalès (1779-1861), Paris; E.P. Goldschmidt (1887-1954), London, c.1914-1918. (Charles Sessler Rare Books, Philadelphia). Purchased 1930 by Lessing J. Rosenwald (L. Supp. 1760b); Gift to NGA, 1943.

Associated Names

Bibliography

1926

  • Dodgson, Campbell. "An Unknown MS. of Freydal."The Burlington Magazine. 48 (1926): 235-237+240-242.

1928

  • Dodgson, Campbell. "More Freydal Drawings." The Burlington Magazine. 53 (October 1928): 170-73.

2019

  • Krause, Stefan. "Freydal, das Turnierbuch Kaiser Maximilians I. - Werkbeschreibungen." Jahrbuch des Kunsthistorischen Museums Wien 21 (2019): 216, repro. 217.

Inscriptions

Upper right by unknown hand in brown ink, on separate paper pasted down: Fraidall gestochen in ainer praun unnd weyssen attlassen deckh, auff dem helm ain negelinkranntz wie ain crantz; upper right by unknown hand in brown ink: 27; lower left on mount in black ink: 27; lower right on mount in black ink: Not in A.

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