Mock Joust of War with Flying and Exploding Shields c. 1512 - 1515

This anonymous drawing depicts a jousting match with watercolor on paper. At first glance, the scene appears as an ordinary medieval contest, yet a closer look reveals unexpected disruptions. Shields explode into geometric shards while knights remain composed, creating a visual paradox that arrests our attention. The artist’s use of line and color adds to the work’s complexity. Precise lines define the figures and horses, but are juxtaposed against dynamic bursts of color that suggest violent action. The composition destabilizes the traditional narrative of heroic combat, and challenges fixed notions of chivalry and warfare. The visual elements of the drawing function as signs within a cultural and philosophical discourse. Through its unique formal qualities, the artwork resists a singular meaning and invites continuous reinterpretation, prompting us to reconsider historical and cultural narratives.