Foot Combat with Spears and Buckler Shields c. 1512 - 1515

This anonymous drawing depicts foot combat with spears and buckler shields, rendered in pen and watercolor on paper. While seemingly traditional artistic media, these materials are used to depict the tools of combat, and the protective gear worn by the fighters. The armor's metallic sheen is captured with delicate washes of color, while the spears and shields are outlined with precision. The drawing isn't just a depiction of a fight, it is a rendering of craft; a representation of the metalwork, the leatherwork, and textile manufacturing that went into creating such tools of battle. Consider the labor involved in forging the armor and weaponry, and the social context in which such craftsmanship was highly valued, even essential for the protection and projection of power. The artist elevates the status of craft, presenting it as worthy of artistic attention and preservation. This challenges traditional notions of art, prompting us to consider the cultural and economic significance embedded within the objects themselves.