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

This anonymous drawing presents a "Mock Joust of War with Flying and Exploding Shields," rendered in ink and watercolour. Immediately, the intricate details of the knights and their horses draw the eye, set against a relatively blank background which flattens the image. The composition is neatly divided; the eye traces the lances pointing towards one another to find the two knights. The artist has meticulously adorned each figure and steed with unique patterns and colors. Note how the symmetry is broken by the scattered fragments above, suggesting motion and impact. These shards of shields introduce a dynamic element, challenging the static nature of traditional portraiture through a semiotic system of warfare turned comic. The use of light and shadow is minimal, maintaining a focus on line and decorative detail. The fragility of watercolour lends an ethereal quality to the scene, transforming a martial subject into a tableau of stylized pageantry. The drawing destabilizes the grandeur and valour usually associated with battle, recasting it as stylized performance.