Landsknechte
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Unknown artists
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Keyword
Lansquenet , German , Caricature , Conservation , Soldier , Protestant
Alternative Title
Abstract
This sculptural group of four Landsknechte (also, Landsknechts or Lansquenets) (c. 1550–1600) resting on small spheres at the Museo Nazionale del Palazzo di Venezia in Rome is sculpted from solid blocks of wood in the round. Landsknechte were mercenary infantry soldiers from the Holy Roman Empire regions of Swabia, Bavaria, Vorarlberg, and Tyrol. Active from the late fifteenth to the late seventeenth century, these soldiers originally served under Emperor Maximilian I of Austria.
Each Landsknecht is engaged in a different activity: one stands, another sings, a third drinks, and the last toasts. Their cheerful and animated poses may be a visual representation of a popular German song celebrating the lively life of Lansquenets.
While the four sculptures are well-preserved, they are caricatured rather than naturalistic representations of these soldiers. Many Landsknechte were protestants which may explain their caricatured appearance in this set of sculptures. Their unique design raises questions about their provenance and greater use—were they part of a larger ensemble or displayed as a quartet? Each piece is highly finished, intended to be enjoyed from all angles.
A recent conservation treatment of the drinking and toasting Lansquenets revealed insights into the sculptor's technique. After carving, the sculptures were coated with a thin, white preparatory layer and embellishments and accessories were painted. The sculpture are water-gilded. Floral and geometric motifs impressed into the surface and coloured with various semi-transparent pigments. Visual and technical analysis by the High Institute for Conservation and Restoration in Rome prior to restoration identified layered polychromy applied to achieve tonal effects. X-ray fluorescence analysis revealed pigments such as red cinnabar and lead white mixed together for flesh tones, copper greens, and traces of silver on the shoes.
In addition, analysis of the two sculptures indicated paint and varnish from a previous restoration, which had crudely obscured earlier structural repairs of fractures and losses. Candle soot was also identified on the sculptures. These were removed in the recent conservation treatment. Photograph(s) licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International Licence.
Description
National Museum of the Palazzo di Venezia; Tower-Wurts Collection
Citation
Grazia Maria Fachechi Danese, Museo nazionale del Palazzo di Venezia : sculture in legno (Roma: Gangemi, 2011), 146-148.