Artwork

How the French King made war on the King of Feuereisen in his realm and how the King of Feuereisen died in the battle

How the French King made war on the King of Feuereisen in his realm and how the King of Feuereisen died in the battle is a print by the Renaissance artist Hans Burgkmair the Elder. It dates from 1514 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.

About this work

You see a crowded battle scene: knights in shiny armor clash on horseback, while foot soldiers with long spears stand firm in the mud.

You see a crowded battle scene: knights in shiny armor clash on horseback, while foot soldiers with long spears stand firm in the mud.

This painting shows a real fight from 1477. The artist added early cannons in the back—new tech at the time. The long spears, called pikes, were a cheap way for unarmored soldiers to stop charging horses.

Look up *chiaroscuro* to see how other artists used light and shadow like Burgkmair does here.

Overview

This 15th-century print depicts a pivotal medieval battle: the 1477 Battle of Nancy, where French forces under Louis XI clashed with those of Charles the Bold, Duke of Burgundy. The scene highlights the interplay of various military tactics and weaponry.

Subject & Meaning

The print specifically illustrates the strategic use of unarmored infantry armed with pikes as a countermeasure against heavily armored cavalry, underscoring a significant tactical evolution in warfare. The inclusion of early artillery in the background further emphasizes the battle's historical significance in the adoption of new military technologies.

Technique & Style

The artist, Burgkmair, employs chiaroscuro, a strong contrast between light and dark, to dynamically render the crowded battlefield, emphasizing the intensity of the clash between knights and the disciplined stance of pike-wielding infantry.

History & Provenance

The Battle of Nancy, fought on January 7, 1477, resulted in the death of Charles the Bold. This print serves as a visual record of the battle, though specific details about its creation date and the artist's direct connection to the event are not provided in the available information.

Context

Produced in the 15th century, this print reflects the late medieval period's military innovations, including the effective use of pikes by infantry to neutralize cavalry advantages and the nascent deployment of artillery on battlefields.

Legacy

This work contributes to the historical visual archive of medieval warfare tactics, particularly the transition in military strategies with the introduction of new weaponry and infantry techniques, influencing how subsequent battles were fought and depicted.