Plate depicting Giovanni Orsino, from a series of twelve showing knights and their attendants dressed for a tournament (plate 7) 1565

This print, part of a series of twelve, depicts Giovanni Orsino and his attendants in preparation for a tournament. Though the artist remains anonymous, this piece offers insight into the culture and values of Renaissance Europe. Knights, horses, and pages are rendered with meticulous detail, embodying the era’s fascination with pageantry and social hierarchy. In the absence of a known artist, the print becomes a mirror reflecting the collective identity of a society enthralled by chivalry and status. The hierarchical arrangement of the figures—knights elevated on horseback, pages walking below—emphasizes the period’s rigid social structure. Consider how this imagery might have shaped the perceptions of those within and outside these social strata, reinforcing or perhaps even challenging existing norms. The emotional resonance of such displays, both for participants and observers, underscores the power of spectacle in shaping societal values. What feelings arise when we are confronted with such a overt display of class?