Domenico Campagnola, designer

Since Domenico Campagnola was well known among collectors for his drawings, it is possible that he sought to imitate his drawing style in this fluid, sketchy engraving. The long, flowing lines characterize the rhythm and movement of the bodies rather than describing their volumes, and the style challenges some of the rigidity and clarity that we usually associate with engraving’s materials.

Battle and tournament scenes such as this demanded great skill in the arrangement of composition and mastery of the representation of men and horses, while retaining a loose association with the classical past. Although famous battle pieces by Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo were widely circulated in copies, Domenico more likely looked to a composition by Titian, making it his own by emphasizing great confusion and turmoil.