Arms and Armor in the works of Albrecht Dürer

shayde78 · 2nd November 2020, 09:34 PM

"Young Couple Threatened by Death", 1498

Almost a hanger-like style. I believe there is meant to be a spirit of ease portrayed by the young couple, unaware, as youth often is, that death stalks everyone. If this was indeed the intent, then the choice of sword represented could be intentionally one that would have been worn with civilian dress at times when no threat was expected, but was still prepared for. Similar to the so called 'pillow swords' of later eras. I admit, I take a lot of leaps with my interpretation of this one.

shayde78 · 2nd November 2020, 09:38 PM

"The Sea Monster", 1498.

I included this one as the figure on the far shore has a sword at his waist. There isn't much detail here, but I am trying to include all the works that portray a weapon of some type. The sword looks like a shamshir, but again, detail isn't great.

shayde78 · 2nd November 2020, 09:50 PM

"Sol Justitiae", 1499

The year 1499 was experienced with a great deal of anxiety in Nuremberg and across Europe. If we recall the anxiety around the end of 1999 (Y2K?), we can relate how we pick arbitrary dates and whole numbers to believe the end of the world is near. The Emperor's army was defeated in the Swiss War. The authorities 'expelled' Jewish families from Nuremberg. Fierce, divine judgement fit the spirit of the day. The style of the sword hilt recalls similar hilts held by similarly divine figures in the Nuremberg Chronicle.

shayde78 · 2nd November 2020, 09:54 PM

"St. Sebastian at the Column", 1499

The violent fates of Saints were a popular subject for artists throughout the last 200 years. I present this one simply for the arrow fletching portrayed. Sebastian is a subject of a number of subsequent works, but his end is unfortunate in all.

shayde78 · 2nd November 2020, 09:57 PM

"Coat of Arms with a Rooster", 1500.

I like simple titles. It isn't thought that this is a coat specific to any family, but does nicely depict a helm of the time period.

shayde78 · 2nd November 2020, 09:58 PM

I'm about a third of the way through my list of works. I'll post more here soon when I am able to steal some additional time. Hope these are interesting to those who have taken a look thus far.

shayde78 · 3rd November 2020, 02:06 AM

"St. Sebastian at the Tree", 1501

Another depiction of Sebastian, this time at a tree. The arrows don't actually intersect the figure, and it is thought that this originally was meant yo depict Marsyas tied to a tree, but adding the arrows made it more marketable as iconography of a Saint.

2nd November 2020, 09:34 PM	#1
shayde78 Member Join Date: Mar 2017 Posts: 445	"Young Couple Threatened by Death", 1498 Almost a hanger-like style. I believe there is meant to be a spirit of ease portrayed by the young couple, unaware, as youth often is, that death stalks everyone. If this was indeed the intent, then the choice of sword represented could be intentionally one that would have been worn with civilian dress at times when no threat was expected, but was still prepared for. Similar to the so called 'pillow swords' of later eras. I admit, I take a lot of leaps with my interpretation of this one. Attached Images

2nd November 2020, 09:38 PM	#2
shayde78 Member Join Date: Mar 2017 Posts: 445	"The Sea Monster", 1498. I included this one as the figure on the far shore has a sword at his waist. There isn't much detail here, but I am trying to include all the works that portray a weapon of some type. The sword looks like a shamshir, but again, detail isn't great. Attached Images

2nd November 2020, 09:50 PM	#3
shayde78 Member Join Date: Mar 2017 Posts: 445	"Sol Justitiae", 1499 The year 1499 was experienced with a great deal of anxiety in Nuremberg and across Europe. If we recall the anxiety around the end of 1999 (Y2K?), we can relate how we pick arbitrary dates and whole numbers to believe the end of the world is near. The Emperor's army was defeated in the Swiss War. The authorities 'expelled' Jewish families from Nuremberg. Fierce, divine judgement fit the spirit of the day. The style of the sword hilt recalls similar hilts held by similarly divine figures in the Nuremberg Chronicle. Attached Images

2nd November 2020, 09:54 PM	#4
shayde78 Member Join Date: Mar 2017 Posts: 445	"St. Sebastian at the Column", 1499 The violent fates of Saints were a popular subject for artists throughout the last 200 years. I present this one simply for the arrow fletching portrayed. Sebastian is a subject of a number of subsequent works, but his end is unfortunate in all. Attached Images

2nd November 2020, 09:57 PM	#5
shayde78 Member Join Date: Mar 2017 Posts: 445	"Coat of Arms with a Rooster", 1500. I like simple titles. It isn't thought that this is a coat specific to any family, but does nicely depict a helm of the time period. Attached Images

2nd November 2020, 09:58 PM	#6
shayde78 Member Join Date: Mar 2017 Posts: 445	I'm about a third of the way through my list of works. I'll post more here soon when I am able to steal some additional time. Hope these are interesting to those who have taken a look thus far.

3rd November 2020, 02:06 AM	#7
shayde78 Member Join Date: Mar 2017 Posts: 445	"St. Sebastian at the Tree", 1501 Another depiction of Sebastian, this time at a tree. The arrows don't actually intersect the figure, and it is thought that this originally was meant yo depict Marsyas tied to a tree, but adding the arrows made it more marketable as iconography of a Saint. Attached Images