Sunday, April 28, 2019

Simone Martini et tents etc

Salvete Omnes,
I would like to bring your attention to several works of the XIV century Sienese painter Simone Martini , disciple of the famous Giotto. In his brushwork we see medeival Italian horses, horse tack and event tents used by the medieval armies.

 
 first, the fresco of Guidoriccio da Fogliano, the Sienese condotiero (mercenary) commander, at the siege of Montemassi at the Palacio Publico in Sienna.
He is riding a tall grey dextrarius that is shod and  caparisoned.

We do not see much of the condottiere's armor but for his neck, arms and legs that are protected by the mail, and the legs are reinforced by some early plate armor. Riding in the military fashion, double reins in left hand, he holds the botton, the symbol of his authority as the commander (and conqueror of Montermassi).


 very interesting portrayal of the pavilon tents of the nobility and commanding officers and also tents for the troops (included grass or perhaps straw covered tents) and it is my guess that the green structures are stables for their horses.

Another work, a panel painting, that is interesting is the  Blessed Agostino Novello Altarpiece
 where in this tempera panel we see a fallen horse

 and the details of the saddle (painted leather skirts) and stirrup  with the stirrup leathers.
 

 

Valete

2 comments:

  1. Hi, first of all, sorry for commenting under the post that isn't about my "problem".

    I was looking for your email, but I wasn't able to find it.
    I was wondering if you have any more information/ possibility and sources to find such, about horses in the Viking era, especially tack and " Vikings' horse culture".

    Thank you in advance,
    Aleksander Freda.

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  2. Salve Aleksander,
    thanks for vising my blog - you are right, I should do a post or two about the Viking ear horses and horse tack.
    per research you can start with this dissertation and other papers by this researcher - https://www.academia.edu/8039067/The_Horse_and_the_Norse_Reconstructing_the_Equine_in_Viking_Iceland_MLitt_Dissertation_
    my email is the 'about me' section

    ReplyDelete