Cristini, Luca Stefano Nuremberg tournaments 1446-1561

This German Turnierbuch manuscript is composed of 112 sheet includes depictions of contestants equipped for various tournaments; a renaissance parade preceding a late form of tournament called a carrousel; This album represent specifically the participants in tournaments known as Gesellenstrechen, or bachelors jousts, held in Nuremberg (Germany) between 1446 and 1561; We find also depictions of pageant sleighs, some of which were used in a parade held in the winter of 164041. The illustrations are probably the work of a renaissance artist or a Briefmaler, a particular letter painter, who also would have written and embellished official documents and painted rich coats-of-arms.
In many instances, the names of the tournament participants are written above them. They are armed for the Gestech (German tournament), the joust fought with blunt lances. This rare Turnierbuch such as provide an invaluable record of the jousters colorful costumes, fanciful crests, and humorous, often satirical emblems that decorated the jousters shields and horse trappings.
This rare manuscript was bought in 1921 by a French collector, and today is part of the MET collection (The Metropolitan Museum of Art of New York)

The illustrations are probably the work of a Renaissance artist or a letter painter, a particular letter painter who would also have written and decorated official documents and painted rich coats of arms. In many cases, the names of the tournament participants are written above the portrait. They are armed for the Gestech (German tournament), the tournament was contested with blunt lances. This rare tournament book provides an invaluable record of the colourful costumes, imaginative crests and witty, often satirical emblems that adorned the jouster shields and saddlecloths of the horses. This rare manuscript was purchased by a French collector in 1921 and is now part of the MET collection (Metropolitan Museum of Art of New York).