The battle of Issus (fragment) 1529

Albrecht Altdorfer created this fragment of ‘The Battle of Issus’ with oil paint on wood. The process of oil painting, with its slow drying time and capacity for layering, allowed Altdorfer to create a rich tapestry of detail. Look closely, and you'll see an incredible number of figures densely packed into the scene, each individually rendered. The texture of the paint itself, applied in thin glazes and thicker impasto, adds to the dynamism of the composition. More than just a depiction of warfare, this painting speaks to the social and political climate of Altdorfer's time. The sheer scale of the battle, and the painstaking effort required to represent it, reflects the labor and resources invested in both art and war. Though this fragment gives us a glimpse into Altdorfer’s craft, his use of materials and making process provide insight into the culture of 16th-century Europe.