Artwork
Italian Joust of Peace
Italian Joust of Peace 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.
- Inscription
- Inscribed:upper left by unknown hand in brown ink, on a separate sheet of paper pasted down: Friderich von Horn; upper right by unknown hand in brown ink: 110; upper left by unknown hand in black ink: 23; lower center by unknown hand in brown ink, on separate paper pasted down: Friderich von Horen Welsch / 110; lower left on mount in black ink: 110; lower right on mount in black ink: A 30
About this work
Overview
Italian Joust of Peace is a 16th-century drawing by a German artist, created with pen, brown ink, watercolor, and leadpoint on laid paper.
Subject & Meaning
The drawing depicts two armored knights on horseback engaged in a jousting match, characterized as a 'joust of peace', a ceremonial rather than a combat event. One lance splinters against the opponent's armor, while the horses display dynamic movement.
Technique & Style
The artist employed watercolor with thin glazes to achieve a sense of depth and luminosity, particularly in rendering the metallic sheen of the armor, without relying on heavy outlines.
Context
Unlike many contemporary drawings that documented actual battles, this work illustrates a festive and ritualistic event, highlighting the artist's interest in capturing a specific cultural practice.
History & Provenance
The drawing is housed at the National Gallery of Art, Washington.
Artist & collection
Artist
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.
![Abraham Entertaining the Angels [verso], by German 16th Century](https://artifactworldgallery.com/img/german-16th-century--abraham-entertaining-the-angels-verso--69d1b25f4eba0a53-w320.webp)
