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 right by unknown hand in brown ink, on separate paper pasted down: Fraydall gestochen auff wellisch in ainer ganntzen praun zendlen deck, auff dem helm ain rosmarinkranntz mitt guldin schnuern; upper left by unknown hand in graphite: not numbered (No 118); lower center by unkown hand in brown ink: Franciscus de Montibus; lower left on mount in black ink: 118; lower right on mount in black ink: A 38
About this work
Overview
Italian Joust of Peace is a 16th-century drawing created by a German artist, executed in pen and brown ink with watercolor over black chalk on laid paper.
Subject & Meaning
The drawing depicts a pivotal moment in a jousting match between two armored knights on horseback, with one knight's lance splintering against the other's breastplate, conveying the intensity and drama of the chivalric event.
Technique & Style
Characterized by elaborate details on the knights' armor and horses, the work features a watercolor glaze that imparts a shiny, wet appearance to the armor. Notably, the artist left the background blank, focusing attention on the central clash.
History & Provenance
The artwork is currently part of the collection at the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C., though its specific provenance history prior to this is not detailed here.
Context
As a quick study rather than a finished piece, Italian Joust of Peace offers insight into the artist's preliminary creative process, likely intended for further development or as a sketch for a more elaborate work.
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)
