Foot Combat with Pikes c. 1512 - 1515

This anonymous drawing shows two armored figures engaged in a foot combat with pikes. The pike, a long spear, symbolizes power and authority but also vulnerability. This symbol has appeared in various forms throughout history, from ancient spears to medieval lances, each time representing humanity's primal drive for dominance and protection. In ancient Greece, the spear was associated with both war and hunting, embodying the dual nature of human existence. The formal nature of this duel speaks to a sublimation of aggressions and a psychological struggle between the fighters. The fighters, heavily adorned in plumage and finery, transform it into a display of skill and nobility. This controlled aggression hints at the precarious balance between order and chaos, deeply rooted in our collective psyche.