The Lansquenet (Landsknecht with Banner)
Relief print on paper • Unknown contemporary printmaker; after 16th-century German woodcut styles (manner of Urs Graf or Hans Holbein)
Style & Movement
Renaissance Revival / Neo-Expressionist graphic style
Medium & Technique
Linocut or modern woodblock print; relief printing technique characterized by bold monochromatic contrast and thick line work
Creation Period
Late 20th Century to Contemporary (Modern reproduction/interpretation of a 16th-century motif)
Dimensions & Format
Approximately 8 x 10 inches; Vertical portrait format
Subject Description
A German Landsknecht mercenary stands prominently in the foreground, wearing slashed doublet and hosen with a feathered hat. He carries a banner over his shoulder and a short sword (Katzbalger) at his waist. Behind him is a stylized medieval city with timber-framed houses and a castle on a distant hill.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Excellent; appearance suggests a modern print with crisp edges and no visible aging or foxing
Estimated Market Value
$50 - $150 USD
Auction Estimate
$30 - $80 USD
Provenance History
Modern private collection; reverse features a small sticker 'BM 2/5' indicating a small limited edition run (print 2 of 5)
Art Historical Significance
The work is a modern homage to the Northern Renaissance woodcut tradition. The Landsknecht was a popular subject for artists like Dürer and Beham, symbolizing the transition from medieval knights to modern infantry.
Notable Features
The 'BM 2/5' sticker suggests a very limited contemporary edition; the graphic style utilizes exaggerated muscularity and heavy woodcut-style hatching to mimic antique printing methods.
Condition Issues
None visible; paper appears bright and un-aged with sharp corners.
Conservation Recommendations
Mount using acid-free materials; protect from direct UV light exposure to prevent fading of the black ink and yellowing of the paper.
Collector Notes
Small sticker on back says BM 2/5