Joust of Peace in Leg Armor c. 1512 - 1515

Editor: We're looking at "Joust of Peace in Leg Armor," a watercolor drawing from around 1512 to 1515. It depicts two knights in full armor, one unseated from his horse. It's the knight tumbling down who grabs my attention—what do you see happening in terms of composition and the interplay of forms? Curator: The composition uses a dynamic asymmetry. The fallen knight disrupts the implied balance, his limbs creating diagonals that clash with the horizontal lances. Notice how the artist uses line to define form, the stark outline of the armor juxtaposed against the softer washes of watercolor suggesting movement. Is it jarring for you, the contrast of the rather comical positioning of the knights in comparison to the likely seriousness of the actual event? Editor: It is a bit jarring. The fallen knight seems almost…cartoonish. The textures and weight of the armor don't really come through. Do you see any sort of symbolic intent through the medium and its visual output? Curator: Consider how the fluidity of watercolor, often associated with preparatory sketches, might reflect the transient nature of power and victory. The artist could have employed a much harder medium to define contours and texture. The looseness might then underscore the ephemeral nature of glory. And of course, watercolor allows the support medium to become more visually dominant. Editor: So, the drawing almost deconstructs the very idea of a powerful, glorious knight by using such an unassertive, modest medium? Curator: Precisely. The technique contradicts the subject matter. It begs the question of the true nature of these so-called "peace" jousts. What I take away is that these matches are probably still war-like, but painted and glossed over. Editor: I never would have considered the medium as such an integral component of the artwork. I was too busy just looking at the joust itself. Thanks! Curator: Analyzing formal qualities like line, color, and medium provides valuable insight when thinking about artworks such as this drawing.