Italian Joust of Peace c. 1512 - 1515

This watercolor on paper depicts an Italian Joust of Peace, a popular aristocratic competition. The piece comes to us without a known author or date, but clues in the image can help us place it in its historical context. Jousts were performances of chivalry, a complex code of conduct associated with medieval knighthood, but they also served as political theater, reflecting the social hierarchies and values of the time. The broken lances and protective armor signal the violence inherent in jousting, but this was a carefully regulated and ritualized form of combat. The 'Joust of Peace' suggests an attempt to sublimate aggression into a controlled and symbolic display. To fully understand this artwork, we might look at manuals on chivalry, contemporary accounts of tournaments, and genealogical records of the families involved. Such research reveals how art, even in seemingly simple forms like this, can reflect the complex interplay of social, political, and cultural forces.