Artwork
Sketch for The Knight with the Falcon, known as "The Crusader"

Sketch for The Knight with the Falcon, known as "The Crusader" is a drawing by Unknown. It dates from 1650 and is held in the collection of the Statens Museum for Kunst. The drawing is a preparatory study for the composition titled The Knight with the Falcon, also referred to as The Crusader.
About this work
Overview
The drawing is a preparatory study for the composition titled The Knight with the Falcon, also referred to as The Crusader. Executed around 1650, the work is attributed to the artist recorded as 1871_person and is part of the collection of the Museum of Ethnography.
Subject & Meaning
The study concentrates on a close‑up portrait of a bearded male figure, his dark hair and beard framing a solemn expression. He wears a low‑set red hat, and his gaze suggests a contemplative or resolute mood, aligning with the chivalric theme implied by the title.
Technique & Style
Rendered with loose, gestural brushstrokes, the sketch conveys an unfinished quality typical of preparatory drawings. The figure emerges from a darkened background, the contrast of pale skin tones against shadow emphasizing the facial features while leaving many details implied rather than fully defined.
History & Provenance
Created circa 1650, the piece has remained within the holdings of the Museum of Ethnography. Its attribution to 1871_person reflects the artist’s practice of producing studies to develop larger, narrative compositions such as the associated knightly scene.
Artist & collection



















