Ensign, Drummer and Piper 1543

"Ensign, Drummer and Piper" is a 1543 engraving by German Renaissance artist Sebald Beham. The print depicts three soldiers in finely detailed, realistic clothing. The ensign, on the left, holds a standard topped with a plume and carries a sword. The drummer, in the center, stands with a large drum and a tambourine. The piper, on the right, stands with a pipe tucked under his arm. Beham’s engraving highlights the precise details of the soldiers’ equipment and garments, while the inscription at the top of the work, "WW NVN HINAYS. DER KRIEG HAT EIN LOCH", which translates to “Now go out, the war has a hole,” adds a social commentary to the scene. The print exemplifies Beham's skill in depicting historical scenes with accuracy and detail. It is housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York.