Ein Fahnenträger, ein Reiter und ein Helebardier, in der Ferne zwei Trommler 

Pietro Palmieri the Elder created this drawing with pen and brown ink, capturing a scene of soldiers and musicians. The composition is immediately striking with its dynamic arrangement of figures and a limited tonal range that unifies the scene. Palmieri uses line to define form and movement, creating a sense of depth through the overlapping figures. Notice how the contours are not just boundaries but active elements that suggest the weight and volume of the subjects. The limited use of hatching adds subtle shadows and highlights, enhancing the three-dimensionality of the figures. The drawing evokes a sense of the baroque through its dramatic use of diagonal lines and swirling forms, yet the simplicity of the medium lends it a unique immediacy. It's a study in how basic elements can convey complex spatial and narrative ideas.