Hans Sebald Beham: Feldtwaybel Landsknecht (1530)

(Museum Boijmans van Beuningen, Rotterdam, The Netherlands)

An engraving by the German artist Hans Sebald Beham (1500-1550). Pictures like these were very popular in the 16th century with artists and the public, on a lot of interior-scenes these prints can be seen hanging on the wall. Because of this they usually haven't survived. This print is part of a set with pictures of 'Turks' and 'Landsknechts' which was bought in the 16th century by a collecter who kept the prints save. Landsknechts were German mercenaries during the late 15th and 16th century, famous for their colorful and elaborate clothing. The man on the print is a 'Feldtwaybel' - a sergeant. He has so-called three-quarter armour, a massive longsword and a short sword called a Katzbalger. The text says that this man comes from the duchy of Guelders. Print from 1530.