Foot Combat with Poles c. 1512 - 1515

This sheet, of uncertain date and by an anonymous hand, depicts two figures in full armor engaged in foot combat with poles. These figures are not merely fighters; their armor and adornments tell a tale of social standing. What does it mean to be noble? What part does pageantry play in the projection of power? How did these rituals contribute to the construction of masculine identities? The combat is formalized and ritualized, as though choreographed. This formality speaks to the values placed on honor, skill, and controlled aggression. In representing this choreographed dance of combat, the artwork perhaps reflects a broader societal fascination with codes of conduct and performative expressions of identity. It prompts us to reflect on how such displays have shaped our understanding of power, status, and the performance of the self.