Who painted Foot Combat with Spears?

Foot Combat with Spears was painted by German 16th Century in 1514.

Where can I see Foot Combat with Spears?

Foot Combat with Spears is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Foot Combat with Spears?

Foot Combat with Spears is associated with Renaissance.

Artwork

Foot Combat with Spears

German 16th Century , 1514

Foot Combat with Spears is an ink drawing by the Renaissance artist German 16th Century. It dates from 1514 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art. Created around 1515 by an anonymous German artist, this drawing combines pen and black ink with watercolor on laid paper.

Inscription: Inscribed:center by unknown hand in graphite: 9; lower left on mount in black ink: 30; lower right on mount in black ink: A 194

About this work

Overview

Created around 1515 by an anonymous German artist, this drawing combines pen and black ink with watercolor on laid paper. It portrays a close‑quarters encounter between two foot soldiers, each clad in detailed armor and equipped with spears and round shields. The work is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art in Washington.

Subject & Meaning

The composition captures a moment of aggressive engagement: one combatant thrusts his spear forward while the opponent deflects with his shield. The emphasis on individual movement and the realistic rendering of armor suggest an interest in the physicality of warfare rather than a specific historical battle.

Technique & Style

The artist employs swift brushwork to convey kinetic energy, while fine ink lines delineate the crinkled surfaces of the armor. Transparent watercolor glazes deepen shadows and model forms, creating a sense of volume. The use of laid paper provides a textured ground that enhances the drawing’s tactile quality.

History & Provenance

Attributed to a German workshop of the early sixteenth century, the piece entered the National Gallery of Art’s holdings through acquisition in the twentieth century. Its medium and stylistic traits align it with contemporary martial sketches produced for instructional or illustrative purposes.

Foot Combat with Pikes, German 16th Century

Artist & collection

Artist

German 16th Century

A German artist of the late 1500s drew knights clashing in parades and mock battles, filling sheets with detailed ink colored lightly in watercolor: soldiers mid-joust, shields flying, foot soldiers sparring with spears.