The battle of Issus(fragment) 1529

Albrecht Altdorfer made this fragment of The Battle of Issus, in oil, in the 16th century. This image, made in Germany, offers a glimpse into the visual culture and social attitudes of the Renaissance. We can see how the image creates meaning through visual codes, cultural references, and historical associations. It is also heavily influenced by historical events, social class, political movements, or economic structures. The imagery of warfare and the depiction of historical events played a significant role in shaping collective memory and national identity. Artists like Altdorfer contributed to the construction of historical narratives, reflecting and reinforcing contemporary power structures. The artist was commenting on the social structures of his own time. It critiqued the institutions of art. As historians, we draw upon a range of resources – from archival documents to contemporary accounts – to better understand the meaning of art as something contingent on its social and institutional context.