Two Studies of Plumed Helmets 1750 - 1800

This drawing of plumed helmets was made with red chalk. The artist, who remains unknown, worked with an assured hand, swiftly capturing the helmet’s decorative details. Red chalk lends itself to suggestion rather than exactitude, so it is a good medium for sketching ideas. We get a strong sense of the heavy, sculpted forms, with their elaborate crests. Note how different the two helmets are in design. Both are complex constructions, no doubt reflecting long hours of labor. The question arises: Why were these objects made so ornate? One answer may be that they served a social function, beyond pure utility. In a society predicated on military strength, the quality of a soldier’s gear was an indication of their status. The labor put into these helmets – both in their making, and their depiction here in chalk – speaks to the cultural importance of warfare, and the place of craftsmanship within it. Ultimately, looking closely at materials and making can reveal a great deal about the world in which they were produced.