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Monstra della Giostra [A Tournament in the Cortile Belvedere]

Monogrammist HCB

1565

ink

From the collection of National Gallery of Art

Renaissance Renaissance Ice Skating

Dominant colour

Monstra della Giostra [A Tournament in the Cortile Belvedere] is a 1565 ink by Monogrammist HCB, a Renaissance work, depicting Ice Skating, held at National Gallery of Art.

Who painted this?: Monogrammist HCB
When & what style?: 1565 · Renaissance
Where can I see it?: National Gallery of Art

About this work

This etching shows a busy courtyard filled with knights on horseback, crowds, and tents. The artist used fine lines to catch details like armor glittering and banners flapping in the breeze. It feels like a snapshot of a real festival. The work comes from the Renaissance, when artists loved showing action and movement. This piece mixes two techniques: etching and drypoint. You can see where the artist scratched lines right into the plate for extra depth. If you like this, try looking up Albrecht Dürer.