Standard Bearer c. 16th century

This striking image, Standard Bearer, was made with pen and ink, and watercolor on paper. The artist, whose name is now lost to us, clearly had a strong sense of material presence. The standard bearer's armor is rendered with palpable weight, its metallic sheen captured through deft applications of color. Notice the intricate details of the chainmail, meticulously drawn to convey a sense of texture. The flag itself, rendered in bold black and white stripes, adds to the overall sense of graphic impact. What's fascinating here is how the artist has managed to imbue a traditional subject—a medieval knight—with such a tangible sense of materiality. This wasn't just about depicting an ideal of chivalry, but about capturing the real, tactile qualities of metal, fabric, and human flesh. This approach reminds us that even in seemingly conventional artworks, the artist's engagement with their materials and process can be profoundly meaningful, reflecting a deep understanding of the physical world and the labor required to shape it.