Foot Combat with Pikes

c.1512-1515

German 16th Century

Associated Names
German 16th Century

Artist

This is a drawing of two armored figures engaged in combat with long spears. The illustration shows two figures clad in stylized armor, both holding lengthy weapons that intersect. The armor features decorative elements such as a feathered plume on one of the helmets, and the plates appear to be depicted in shades of blue and tan, with careful attention to detail in the textures and shapes. The figures stand against a plain background, framed by a simple, thin-lined border. The drawing captures the essence of high medieval chivalry and provides a detailed look at historical combat garb.

Media Options

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Artwork overview

  • Medium

    pen and black ink with watercolor and traces of black chalk on laid paper

  • Credit Line

    Rosenwald Collection

  • Dimensions

    sheet: 34 × 26.2 cm (13 3/8 × 10 5/16 in.)

  • Accession Number

    1943.3.4539

  • Series Title

    Freydal, The Book of Jousts and Tournament of Emperor Maximilian I: Combats on Foot (Volume III)

Associated Artworks

See all 29 artworks
This is a drawing of two armored figures engaged in combat. The drawing depicts two individuals clad in stylized, armored suits. They stand in profile with feet staggered, engaged in combat with maces. The maces are depicted as embellished club-like weapons. The figures wear helmets detailed with combs and plumage, and their armor is composed of articulated sections. One figure holds a large shield with a simple floral design. The lines and washes display fine control and articulation. Below the scene, words or writing can be observed.

Foot Combat with Maces and Tartsche Shields

German 16th Century

1515

Freydal, The Book of Jousts and Tournament of Emperor Maximilian I: Combats on Foot (Volume III)

German 16th Century

1515

This is a drawing of two armored figures engaged in combat. The figures are in elaborate medieval armor, with one attacking and the other defending. The armor is detailed with textures and the color palette is limited to blues, greys, and hints of gold. The scene is dynamic and focused on the confrontation between the two figures.

Foot Combat with Maces and Tartsche Shields

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): 274, repro. 275.

Inscriptions

center by unknown hand in graphite: 7; lower left on mount in black ink: 12; lower right on mount in black ink: A 218

Watermarks

Anchor

Wikidata ID

Q64571944

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