Landsknecht 1480 - 1540

Hans Schäufelein made this pen and brown ink drawing of a Landsknecht in the early 16th century. Landsknecht were German mercenary soldiers, who became a significant military force in Europe in the late 15th and 16th centuries. This image creates meaning through its depiction of the Landsknecht's flamboyant clothing and confident pose. Originating in the Holy Roman Empire, these soldiers were known for their distinctive dress, including puffed and slashed sleeves and breeches, and feathered caps. This ostentatious style flouted sumptuary laws and became a symbol of their corporate identity. Their organization into brotherhoods and their reputation for ruthlessness, combined with the religious and political upheavals of the Reformation, made them a force to be reckoned with in the shaping of early modern Europe. The historian, in interpreting this work, consults sources, such as military records, fashion history, and social commentary, to understand the complex role of the Landsknecht in society. The meaning of art is always contingent on its social and institutional context.