Artwork
Combats and Triumphs No. 6
Combats and Triumphs No. 6 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
The composition presents a densely populated battlefield where human combatants, mounted riders, and various animals are interwoven in a tumultuous encounter.
Etienne Delaune’s print Combats and Triumphs No. 6, dated around 1561, is part of the Cleveland Museum of Art’s collection. The composition presents a densely populated battlefield where human combatants, mounted riders, and various animals are interwoven in a tumultuous encounter. The scene is set against a dark, atmospheric backdrop of twisted trees and stormy clouds, emphasizing the frenetic energy of the clash.
Subject & Meaning
The work depicts a chaotic melee, with figures brandishing swords on horseback and others grappling on the ground. Animals such as a bull and a dog are also caught up in the struggle, suggesting a total breakdown of order and the pervasive violence of the moment. The inclusion of both human and animal participants underscores the universal nature of conflict.
Technique & Style
Delaune employs strong chiaroscuro, using deep shadows and stark highlights to heighten the drama of the scene. The contrast between the illuminated figures and the tenebrous background creates a sense of immediacy, as if the viewer is witnessing a fleeting instant of raw movement. The intricate line work and dense composition reflect the printmaking practices of mid‑sixteenth‑century France.
History & Provenance
Created circa 1561, Combats and Triumphs No. 6 has been part of the Cleveland Museum of Art’s holdings, though details of its acquisition are not publicly recorded. The print belongs to a series that explores martial themes, a common subject in Delaune’s oeuvre, and it illustrates the artist’s engagement with the graphic traditions of his time.
Artist & collection
