Mock Joust of War with Flying and Exploding Shields

c.1512-1515

German 16th Century

Associated Names
German 16th Century

Artist

This is a painting of two horses in a mock combat scene. The painting depicts two horses in elaborate armor entangled in a fall. One horse appears to be collapsing, with its hind legs raised in the air, while the other horse is leaning and almost toppling over. Various elements such as shields, helmets, and decorative bits seem to scatter around the scene, adding to the sense of chaotic movement. This is in the style of Honoré Daumier, known for his satirical touch in illustrative art. The overall composition of the image suggests a dynamic interpretation of medieval jousting.

Media Options

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Artwork overview

  • Medium

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

  • Credit Line

    Rosenwald Collection

  • Dimensions

    sheet: 33.8 × 26.2 cm (13 5/16 × 10 5/16 in.)

  • Accession Number

    1943.3.4475

  • 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): 238, repro. 239.

Inscriptions

upper right by unknown hand in black ink: 76; lower left on mount in black ink: 76; lower right on mount in black ink: A29.

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