The running of the Quintana and the breaking of the spears (Zu der Quintana rennen und Spiess brechen), from a series depicting the wedding of Wolfgang Wilhelm, Duke of Pfalz-Neuberg, Pfalzgraf, and Magdalena, Duchess of Bavaria, in Munich, 1613 (Plate 10) 1614

Wilhelm Peter Zimmermann created this detailed engraving, "The running of the Quintana and the breaking of the spears," around 1613. The linear patterns evoke a sense of dynamic movement across the scene. Notice how Zimmermann uses a high vantage point with layered composition and horizontal bands to construct the narrative. The architecture, spectators, and jousting horsemen all contribute to the intricate design. Lines create visual texture and direct our eyes to the central action where riders engage in the quintana. The composition is structured to highlight the performative aspects of power and social ritual. Zimmermann’s attention to detail emphasizes the structured spectacle of the event, reflecting a culture deeply invested in displays of status and tradition. The print captures not just an event, but a codified performance, inviting us to consider the semiotics of courtly life and the messages embedded in its rituals.