Mock Joust of War with Flying Shields and Without Bevors c. 1512 - 1515

Curator: Alright, let’s delve into this drawing, “Mock Joust of War with Flying Shields and Without Bevors,” circa 1512-1515. What strikes you initially? Editor: Well, it’s deceptively whimsical. I mean, you see knights jousting, but there’s almost a cartoonish quality to it, especially with those bright colors and floating elements. What do you make of that contrast? Curator: The "cartoonish" aspect you observe isn't a simplification but, rather, an aesthetic operating within specific societal tensions. Consider that this work emerged during the Renaissance, a period defined by displays of power and the codification of class. What is seemingly silly might, in reality, offer a critique of militaristic culture or even challenge the nobility's obsession with ceremonial warfare. Editor: That's a great point. So, you are thinking it could be a critique? What would it be criticizing, exactly? Curator: Precisely. Think about the pageantry surrounding jousting—the elaborate costumes, the strict rules of engagement, and the immense resources dedicated to these events. While they seemingly celebrate strength and valor, aren't they also rituals of exclusion and inequality? By mocking the conventions of jousting, might this artwork be interrogating the power structures they uphold? Consider how notions of masculinity are being played out. Editor: It definitely makes you think about who is included and excluded by such displays. It's like questioning who benefits from these traditions and who is left out. I never considered art from this period tackling such ideas. Curator: Exactly! And it shows that art from any era can offer insights into contemporary societal issues. I appreciate your perspective—it highlighted aspects I hadn't initially considered! Editor: Thanks, I will definitely look differently at art from the Renaissance!