German Joust of Peace c. 1512 - 1515

This watercolor and ink drawing, titled "German Joust of Peace," depicts a jousting match gone awry. The crossed lances dominate the composition, acting as a stark symbol of conflict. Yet, even in defeat, there is a structured decorum, a dance of aggression played out within strict rules. Consider the lance itself, a phallic symbol of masculine power. In this image, the crossed lances create an ‘X’, a clear mark of cancellation or negation. This motif echoes in other images across time – from the crossed bones beneath the skull of Golgotha to the intersecting swords of medieval heraldry, each carrying a powerful message about the balance of power and fate. There's also a shared, perhaps subconscious, understanding of physical contest. As the jousting knight falls off his horse, we recognize a universal archetype, a symbol of vulnerability. This imagery transcends time, linking back to the fallen heroes of Greek tragedy and the saints collapsing in religious rapture throughout history. Symbols resurface, evolve, and take on new meanings in differing historical contexts.