Artwork
Combats and Triumphs No. 11
Combats and Triumphs No. 11 is a print by the Renaissance artist Etienne Delaune. It dates from 1561 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.
About this work
Overview
Etienne Delaune’s print, Combats and Triumphs No. 11, dates from around 1561 and is part of the collection at the Cleveland Museum of Art. The work presents a tumultuous battlefield scene, populated by armored horsemen locked in fierce struggle, with a fallen figure in the foreground and another rider poised to deliver a blow.
Subject & Meaning
The composition captures a moment of intense combat, emphasizing the chaos of close‑quarter warfare. The armored figures, equipped with swords and spears, convey the brutality of martial conflict, while the dramatic positioning of the fallen and attacking riders suggests themes of victory, defeat, and the precarious balance between life and death on the battlefield.
Technique & Style
Executed in a finely detailed engraving, Delaune employs intricate line work to render the texture of metal armor and the flowing manes of the horses. The use of strong chiaroscuro creates depth, with stark contrasts of light and shadow enhancing the three‑dimensionality of the figures and amplifying the sense of kinetic energy within the scene.
History & Provenance
Created in the mid‑sixteenth century, Combats and Triumphs No. 11 is attributed to the French artist Etienne Delaune, known for his work in metal and print. The print entered the Cleveland Museum of Art’s holdings through acquisition, where it remains a representative example of Delaune’s printmaking output and the period’s interest in martial subjects.
Artist & collection
