Steekspel op de Grote Markt te Brussel Possibly 1891 - 1898

Willem de Famars Testas made this pencil drawing, ‘Steekspel op de Grote Markt te Brussel’, in 1891. The image captures a ‘Steekspel’ or jousting tournament taking place in the Grand Place of Brussels. We can discern an awareness of institutional history in this sketch. In the late nineteenth century, jousting tournaments like this one were often organized by civic groups with the support of local authorities. Such events served as a deliberate invocation of the past, intended to strengthen community bonds and celebrate local heritage. The architectural backdrop of the Grand Place, with its guildhalls and historical buildings, would have amplified the sense of tradition and historical continuity. Art historians could consult local archives, newspaper accounts, and organizational records to uncover the specific social and political dynamics at play during this event. By looking at the art in its cultural and institutional context, we can gain insight into the values, beliefs, and social structures of the community that produced and consumed it.