Combats and Triumphs No. 7
1561
From the collection of Cleveland Museum of Art
1561
From the collection of Cleveland Museum of Art
Dominant colour
Combats and Triumphs No. 7 is a 1561 by Etienne Delaune, a Renaissance work, held at Cleveland Museum of Art.
This print shows a wild, chaotic battle with lots of naked or half-dressed figures. Some are fighting with swords and shields, others are falling or grabbing each other. The background is dark, making the figures stand out in sharp contrast. There’s a mix of twisted bodies, angry faces, and weapons flying around—it feels like a storm of movement. Notice how the artist uses light and dark to make the figures pop against the background. The contrast is so strong it almost looks like the figures are glowing in the shadows. If you like this, check out chiaroscuro to see how artists use light and dark for drama.
