Våbentrofæ 16th century

This is an anonymous drawing of a 'Våbentrofæ', housed here at the SMK. Executed in pen and brown ink, it shows a collection of arms and armour, overlapping and intertwining in a complex arrangement. The composition rises vertically, anchored by the vase at the base. A play of light and shadow gives volume to the objects, yet the layering creates a flattened effect, typical of drawings made as studies or records, rather than artworks in their own right. Look at the surface. The lines and shading create a visual code where certain shapes stand for helmet, shield or quiver. The anonymous artist reduces each object to its most recognizable features, and by stacking these, the drawing challenges our perception, inviting us to decode the language of forms. This approach embodies the semiotic idea that art communicates through signs and cultural codes, opening a dialogue about how we see and understand the world around us. Consider the arrangement of forms; it embodies a deep structure where individual elements come together to form a symbolic representation of power and history.