German Joust of Peace c. 1512 - 1515

This watercolor on paper, titled "German Joust of Peace," presents a scene of disarray. Although the artist is unknown, the artwork likely comes from a wealthy background, perhaps created as part of a series representing aristocratic pastimes and the culture of chivalry. The image depicts the moment after a jousting match gone awry, with one knight unhorsed and his lance broken. Jousts, while performative, were still dangerous, and this picture serves as a reminder of the real risks involved in such displays of prowess. But who was the intended audience of this piece? Was this an image circulated amongst elite circles, or did it have some other purpose? To understand this work, one would need to delve into historical records of jousting tournaments and the social rituals of the time, examining how these events reinforced social hierarchies and cultural values. Art is contingent on its social and institutional context.