Italian Joust of Peace c. 1512 - 1515

This “Italian Joust of Peace” was carefully drawn on paper with pen and watercolor by an anonymous artist. Though it's a drawing, think about the materiality it represents. The labor to make the armor and lances worn by the jousters would have been considerable. Blacksmiths, woodworkers, leatherworkers – all highly skilled artisans – would have contributed to the spectacle. The joust itself was an expensive pastime, enjoyed only by the wealthy. The artist, in turn, had to be skilled with his materials. Note the subtle gradations of color, the precise lines that describe the figures. The artist was not just recording an event, but also showcasing his own abilities in the process, demonstrating that drawing was equally a skill. So, next time you look at a drawing, remember that it's not just a representation of something, but also evidence of the artist's labor, and a reflection of the social and economic context in which it was made.