Landsknechten, plaat [LL] 1530 - 1536

This print of lansquenets, or Landsknechten, was made by Nicolaas Hogenberg sometime in the 16th century. Hogenberg’s detailed depiction of these German mercenary soldiers offers us a glimpse into the military culture of the Renaissance. The Landsknechten were known for their distinctive and flamboyant attire. They were also known for their fierce independence and loyalty to their comrades. These characteristics can be viewed as a form of resistance against the strict social hierarchies of the time. The Landsknechten, often recruited from marginalized communities, found power and identity in their shared military service. It's important to remember that these mercenaries were also agents of violence and conquest, employed by various European powers to wage war and expand their territories. This print thus offers us a complex view into the entanglement of identity, power, and violence in the early modern world.