Arms and Armor in the works of Albrecht Dürer

[shayde78]

Here is another project I’ve been working on. Albrecht Dürer is one of the illustrators of the Guttenberg Chronicle (to view the thread on that work, see here - http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=26105) that contributed his talents to some of the woodblocks used in that work. To be fair, he was likely an apprentice at that point, but some of his later skills were starting to emerge. Also, wood block printing doesn't allow the same level of detail as engravings.

Dürer lived from 1471 – 1528, and truly gained prominence in the mid-1490s, spending time in Germany (the country of his birth) as well as Italy. He was a master in multiple media. However, being a sound pragmatist, he preferred engravings because he could work on a single piece, have several printings commissioned, and the investment of his talents would continue to pay dividends. Compared to working on a single painting for a single commission, he recognized how much more efficient engraving and printing would be. I find this fortunate, because the detail he was able to achieve in his engravings make them a valuable resource for studying Europe in the late 15th, early 16th centuries.
As it relates to the subject matter of arms and armor, Dürer was more than simply a casual observer. His engravings reveal a clear familiarity with and understanding of the tools of the warfare of his day. If further evidence is needed, illustrations he prepared for a Fechtbuch survive showing he understood the use of arms, not just their aesthetic qualities. Additionally, Dürer authored a treatise on the design of fortifications, demonstrating the level of thought he applied to these matters.
So, to serve as a reference for members of this forum, I went through Walter . Strauss’ “The Complete Engravings, Etchings, and Drypoints of Albrecht Dürer” from 1973. From this volume, I identified the works that include representations of armor, swords, knives, arrows/bolt, pole arms, etc. These show not only the details of the arms themselves, but also how they were carried, the accessories like belts, sheaths, saddle rings, and the like. I have tried to post these images in chronological order in which Dürer completed them so that they can be fixed in their corresponding time. I will also try to include only a single picture per post so that they can be easily referenced for discussion. I mention the book I used as reference, because I have subsequently found other works not included in this text. After I have posted, if other wish to add to this thread additional works they can attribute to this specific artist, feel free to do so.


I hope this information is useful, and as I’ve said in similar threads, this is my way to contribute to and repay the generous sharing of expertise that members of this forum have demonstrated over the years.

To kick off, a piece titled, "Five Lansquents and an Oriental* on Horseback" from 1495.

*I use the title of the work, acknowledging that the use of the word 'Oriental' to describe a person is offensive.

[shayde78]

This one is called "The Small Courier" from 1496. The head of the Courier is thought to be another representation of the face on the fellow to the right of the work in the previous post.

[shayde78]

This one is called, "The Cook and His Wife" from 1496.

I like seeing images of the more mundane utility knives (like the one at the cook's waist), and feel they can help distinguish between these and more elaborate forms from the same period.

[shayde78]

This is titled "Oriental* Family", from 1496.
The bow, when compared to those of Europe at the time, seems to well reflect a bow from the East.


*I use the title of the work, acknowledging that the use of the word 'Oriental' to describe a person/people is offensive

[shayde78]

This one is titled, "Rustic Couple" dated 1497.
Some have interpreted this as an intoxicated Lansquenet menacing either his wife or another woman. I'm curious if the hilt of his knife indicates a knightly class, or a more humble station.

[shayde78]

"Three Peasants in Conversation", dated 1497.

Note the hilt in the belt on the right is similar to the previous image. Also, the use of a sword as a cane was a satirical trope of the period. The tattered appearance of the sheath likely indicates some level of disdain. Also, a 'peasant' wearing spurs may indicate a man who fancies himself 'above his station' in a rigidly stratified society. Or, I could simply be unaware that peasant would have occasion to wear spurs.

[Victrix]

Originally Posted by shayde78

This is titled "Oriental* Family", from 1496.
The bow, when compared to those of Europe at the time, seems to well reflect a bow from the East.


*I use the title of the work, acknowledging that the use of the word 'Oriental' to describe a person/people is offensive

Why ”offensive” to describe someone as oriental??

It’s interesting that he came in contact with people from the Orient at that time, when traveling was so ardous and fraught with danger. Presumably it was from his time in Italy. It’s my impression that people traveled more in old days than imagined!

He’s a great artist showing details in a realistic way.

[shayde78]

Originally Posted by Victrix

Why ”offensive” to describe someone as oriental??

Good question - I have received pretty universal feedback from folks who are Asian that 'oriental' should be used to refer to objects (arms, carpets, etc.), while people should be referred to as 'Asian', or more specifically, to the region and/or country being referenced (i.e. Persian, South Asian, etc.).

[shayde78]

Originally Posted by Victrix

It’s interesting that he came in contact with people from the Orient at that time, when traveling was so ardous and fraught with danger. Presumably it was from his time in Italy. It’s my impression that people traveled more in old days than imagined!

He’s a great artist showing details in a realistic way.

I agree that the large cities in Europe (especially the Mediterranean) likely saw residents and visitors from many regions. Warfare also brought people into contact with one another. Travel was how commerce was transacted, so there was a great deal more travel than we tend to consider. It wasn't cheap or safe, but it happened.

[Philip]

Originally Posted by shayde78

*I use the title of the work, acknowledging that the use of the word 'Oriental' to describe a person is offensive.

The Latin oriens / orientis, "east", as opposed to occidens / occidentis "west", derive from the verbs orire and occidere, "to rise" and "to set" respectively, in reference to the movement of the sun. One would think that cardinal directions and astronomical phenomena are pretty neutral concepts.

People will always attach baggage to words and labels. In the US, the term "Southerner" inspires certain knee-jerk connotations with a lot of people who are not from south of the Mason-Dixon line.

[Jim McDougall]

Originally Posted by Philip

The Latin oriens / orientis, "east", as opposed to occidens / occidentis "west", derive from the verbs orire and occidere, "to rise" and "to set" respectively, in reference to the movement of the sun. One would think that cardinal directions and astronomical phenomena are pretty neutral concepts.

People will always attach baggage to words and labels. In the US, the term "Southerner" inspires certain knee-jerk connotations with a lot of people who are not from south of the Mason-Dixon line.

I agree with the perfect description 'baggage' to words and labels!!!
When I moved from California to Tennessee, I recall the locals commenting to each other when one called me a 'yankee'.
The other said, "nah, he's from California, he aint nuthin'" in a drawl from the holler I could barely understand

As they would say here in Texas (didnt bother me none though).

[Philip]

Originally Posted by Jim McDougall

When I moved from California to Tennessee, I recall the locals commenting to each other when one called me a 'yankee'.
The other said, "nah, he's from California, he aint nuthin'" in a drawl from the holler I could barely understand
.

That's funny, Jim -- a friend in NC occasionally calls me a Yankee when I tell him something that doesn't fit in with his notions and beliefs. However, my response is that if you take the Mason-Dixon Line, and extrapolate it all the way across the country to the Pacific, California (or at least my patch of it), lies well to the south of it. And I never tire of telling such folks that our neighboring Orange County was once part of Los Angeles County until it SECEDED in the late 19th cent. Many of the inhabitants thereof were Confederate vets who migrated and settled there after 1865, and, well, they just had this sentiment in their blood... There is in fact a Confederate soldiers cemetery in the county, with a monument dedicated to these brave souls. I know this gal who has Southern roots, she's a musician and is recruited each year for an impromptu band to play "Dixie" on Confederate Memorial Day. OMG, wait til the guardians of PC hear about THAT!

Yeah, California ain't nothin'. Knew another chap, from a Boston Brahmin family, who thought the West Coast lay beyond the borders of the US and joked that he should carry his passport when going to San Fran. And wondered what currency is used in Hawaii and Alaska.

[Victrix]

Originally Posted by shayde78

To kick off, a piece titled, "Five Lansquents and an Oriental* on Horseback" from 1495.

I note that the oriental is carrying a sword and looks military. What would he be doing with the Landsknechts? He might be a Stradioti (light cavalry mercenary from Ottoman provinces in Albania/Greece/Serbia) most of whom were Christian but also some muslims. Orthodox Christians in Ottoman lands seemed to have largely adopted Ottoman dress and arms and might in some cases have worn turbans.

[Jim McDougall]

Originally Posted by Victrix

I note that the oriental is carrying a sword and looks military. What would he be doing with the Landsknechts? He might be a Stradioti (light cavalry mercenary from Ottoman provinces in Albania/Greece/Serbia) most of whom were Christian but also some muslims. Orthodox Christians in Ottoman lands seem to have largely adopted Ottoman dress and arms and might in some cases wear turbans.

Thank you for the note on the karabela resemblance, in the example in the illustration discussed, which indeed has a pommel with a sort of undulation as the later form of karabelas which often appeared almost trilobate.

The hilt pictured of the messer suggests these types of weapon had the hook or beak in degree but with smooth bird head type pommel surface.

Very good points on the Stradioti, who were apparently much of the basis for European light cavalry. These multiple ethnic groups, the forerunners of the notorious pandours who were auxiliary forces to Austria and later other European armies.
The 'exotic' oriental fashions were intended to look more fearsome given the 'wild' reputation of these groups of horsemen. Many Balkan regions were very ethnically diverse as noted.

As the Landsknechts themselves were mercenaries of course, it does not seem unreasonable that these 'oriental' appearing (if not indeed ethnically so) horsemen would have been assembled as part of forces about to join in impending campaign.