The Peasants' Brawl 1531 - 1550

Sebald Beham’s etching, “The Peasants’ Brawl” (1531-1550), depicts a violent scene of men engaged in a street fight. The detailed and intricate lines of the etching capture the intensity of the moment. The inscription above the brawling men reads “Hast Du mich so Stich ich Dich” or “You Have Me, So I Will Stab You”, revealing the aggression and danger present in the scene. The etching provides a glimpse into the violence that plagued peasant life during the 16th century. Beham's work is known for its realistic depiction of everyday life, and this etching is no exception.