Who painted Combat of Three Men?

Combat of Three Men was painted by Sebald Beham in 1546.

Where can I see Combat of Three Men?

Combat of Three Men is held by Cleveland Museum of Art.

What movement is Combat of Three Men?

Combat of Three Men is associated with Renaissance.

Artwork

Combat of Three Men

Sebald Beham , 1546

Combat of Three Men is a print by the Renaissance artist Sebald Beham. It dates from 1546 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.

Accession no.: 1935.3
Credit line: Gift of Leonard C. Hanna Jr.

About this work

Overview

Hans Sebald Beham, a German printmaker of the mid‑16th century, produced the engraving Combat of Three Men in 1546. The work belongs to the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art and exemplifies the small‑scale, highly detailed approach for which Beham and his contemporaries were noted.

Subject & Meaning

The image depicts three robust figures locked in a violent struggle over a dead bull. Two men cling to the animal’s horns while a third wrestles the head on the ground, creating a tangled composition that emphasizes physical conflict and the raw intensity of the scene.

Technique & Style

Executed in black‑and‑white, the print relies on stark chiaroscuro and precise line work. Deep shadows and sharply defined contours give the figures a three‑dimensional presence, while the fine incisions convey a sketch‑like immediacy within the overall composition.

History & Provenance

Beham, born in Nuremberg and later active in Frankfurt, was part of the group known as the “Little Masters,” celebrated for their intricate engravings and woodcuts. Combat of Three Men is one of the many prints he produced during a prolific career that also included a limited number of paintings.