Who painted Mock Joust of War with Flying Shields and Without Bevors?

Mock Joust of War with Flying Shields and Without Bevors was painted by German 16th Century in 1514.

Where can I see Mock Joust of War with Flying Shields and Without Bevors?

Mock Joust of War with Flying Shields and Without Bevors is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Mock Joust of War with Flying Shields and Without Bevors?

Mock Joust of War with Flying Shields and Without Bevors is associated with Renaissance.

Artwork

Mock Joust of War with Flying Shields and Without Bevors

German 16th Century , 1514

Mock Joust of War with Flying Shields and Without Bevors is an ink drawing by the Renaissance artist German 16th Century. It dates from 1514 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art. A compact drawing measuring 33.

About this work

Overview

A compact drawing measuring 33.1 by 26.2 centimeters, executed in pen and black ink with watercolor applied over a black chalk ground on laid paper. The work records a staged jousting episode, rendered with a blend of precise line and muted washes that emphasize the metallic gleam of armor against a dark substrate.

Subject & Meaning

The scene portrays two armored riders on horses engaged in a mock joust, a popular martial pastime in sixteenth‑century Germany. Shields are shown soaring through the air, and several helmets are depicted without bevors—the protective throat plates—introducing a whimsical deviation from authentic battlefield gear.

Technique & Style

The artist employed a layered approach: an initial black chalk underdrawing establishes tonal depth, followed by fine pen work that delineates armor contours, and selective watercolor washes that suggest the reflective surfaces of metal. The combination yields a sketch‑like quality, balancing documentary detail with imaginative exaggeration.

History & Provenance

The drawing is part of the collection of the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C. Its provenance traces back to the museum’s acquisitions of early modern European drawings, though the creator remains unidentified.

Context

During the Renaissance, German artists often infused martial subjects with fanciful elements, reflecting both the era’s fascination with chivalric sport and a taste for visual humor. The omission of bevors and the depiction of airborne shields echo this playful tradition, distinguishing the work from strictly utilitarian military illustrations.