Five German Soldiers
Daniel Hopfer, I
1505/36
Medium
Etching in black on buff laid paper
Dimensions
Image/plate: 20.2 × 37.7 cm (8 × 14 7/8 in.); Sheet: 23.7 × 41.2 cm (9 3/8 × 16 1/4 in.)
Classification
etching
Department
Prints and Drawings
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
80087
Rights
Public Domain
About this artwork
Daniel Hopfer likely invented the art of etching on paper, adapting it from the long-standing process of decorating arms and armor with acid to etch patterns into steel. The Landsknechte seen here wear minimal armor, just a mail cape (bishop’s mantle), but sport massive swords. They assume various infantry roles, including standard bearer, drummer, fife player, and halberdier. This is the largest of Hopfer’s three etchings of this popular genre subject.