German Joust of Peace c. 1512 - 1515

This sheet, whose anonymous maker was working in the tradition of German Renaissance art, depicts the aftermath of a jousting match. Tournaments like this one were spectacular displays of knightly prowess, serving as important social and political rituals. But this one is a ‘Joust of Peace’. What does that mean? The image creates meaning through visual codes, cultural references, and historical associations. The broken lances and unhorsed knights speak to the inherent violence of these events. But it is carefully staged violence, part of the aristocratic display of wealth and power. This artwork is thus a document of social structures of its own time. Understanding this image requires research into the history of European aristocratic culture, and the social role of the tournament, and an investigation of this kind might begin in contemporary illustrated books. Looking at ‘German Joust of Peace’ through the eyes of a historian, we can appreciate how it reflects a complex set of social and institutional contexts.