Italian Joust of Peace c. 1512 - 1515

This watercolor on paper, Italian Joust of Peace, was made by an anonymous artist. It depicts two knights in full armor, on horseback, jousting. The joust was a popular sport among the European aristocracy from the Middle Ages through the Renaissance. In Italy, jousts were often held as part of larger festivals or celebrations, demonstrating wealth and power. This image creates meaning through its visual codes. The knights' armor, horses, and lances are all symbols of their social status and military prowess. The fact that they are jousting suggests a culture that valued courage, skill, and honor. As historians, we can look at period documents, such as tournament rules and descriptions of jousts, as well as commissioned artwork to better understand the social and cultural context of this image. We can reflect on art as contingent on social and institutional context.