Arms and Armor in the works of Albrecht Dürer

[shayde78]

"St. George on Horseback", 1505 (completed 1508)

Nice armor detail

[shayde78]

"Agony in the Garden", 1508

The artist's interpretation of archaic sword?

[shayde78]

The next few are from a series depicting the Passion of Christ.
In order below:

"Christ Before Caliphas", 1512
Good depiction of pole arms, similar to some I highlighted in the Nuremberg Chronicle.

"Christ Before Pilate", 1512
Interesting swords, pole arms, but also a neat looking war hammer

"Flagellation", 1512
Sword hilt, forward curved quillions

"Christ Crowned with Thorns", 1512
A rondel dagger on the kneeling figure's hip

"Ecce Homo", 1512
Bullock dagger at hip

"Pilate Washing his Hands", 1512
Pole arms in background

"Bearing of the Cross", 1512
Similar to the earlier image of the three peasants, notice the damaged scabbard. A sign of disdain? A common occurrence among the poorer classes?
Also, some pole arms, and a holy water spinkler mace head in the background?

"Resurrection", 1512
Pole arm, war hammer

[shayde78]

"Knight, Death, and the Devil", 1513
One of the more well known of Durer's work, and one that has been posted more than once elsewhere on this forum. Good detail on the sword, armor, horse's tack, etc. A well executed piece, all around.

[shayde78]

"St. Thomas", 1514

[shayde78]

"Peasant Couple Dancing", 1514
I like these rustic scenes! It is subtle, but the knife at the woman's hip is interesting since we often see folks on this forum ask, could this be a woman's knife? Seems the woman's knife here is of the same proportions as others the artist has etched.

[shayde78]

"Bagpiper", 1514

Short sword on a Highlander's hip? I'm guessing bagpipes weren't limited to north of Hadrian's Wall.

[Philip]

Originally Posted by shayde78

"Agony in the Garden", 1508

The artist's interpretation of archaic sword?

Very interesting print, thanks for sharing it. Viewed in conjunction with "Sol Justitia" in post 13, it's significant in that the swords are depicted with the leather or metal rain-covers on their crossguards, to keep moisture out when the weapon is sheathed. This, of course, is very seldom seen intact on extant medieval and Renaissance swords due to their fragility. Another reason why period work by noted artists is so useful for documentary purposes.

For those wanting to see the real thing, there are a couple of Italian swords of the period published in Boccia/Coelho, Armi Bianche Italiane (1975). I believe Oakeshott's Records of the Medieval Sword may have a few more examples of hilts with intact chapes as well.