Mock Joust of War with Flying Shields c. 1512 - 1515

This watercolor and ink drawing called 'Mock Joust of War with Flying Shields' was made by an anonymous artist. In this piece, we see knights on horseback, seemingly engaged in a playful tournament. The 'mock joust' points to the intersection of spectacle and power. In medieval and Renaissance Europe, jousts were carefully staged events, reflecting not just military prowess, but also wealth, status, and codes of chivalry. Here, the artist toys with those codes, perhaps critiquing the performative aspects of nobility. What happens when warfare becomes a game, a spectacle? Who benefits, and who is excluded? Are these knights engaged in harmless fun, or is there a darker undercurrent of competition and rivalry? As we consider these questions, consider how the artist uses humor and irony to challenge the viewer’s understanding of power, identity, and the spectacle of war.