German School mid-16th Century

Unframed. Laid down on an old backing sheet. There is a loss to the lower left corner, and also some worm holes to the right of the centre. Also a small loss to the lower right corner. The sheet is slightly foxed, but the marks are not prominent. A light brown stain in the upper left corner. The ink, however, is still fresh and strong and the drawing makes a very good impression.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

The extraordinary figure depicted in this sheet relates to a drawing of the same composition in the British Museum, signed by Franz Buch and dated 1546.¹  The landsknecht, who bears both a lance and sword, is shown wearing classical armour: a dragon-mounted helmet, panelled leather gilet, and chain mail.  In these details, the present drawing differs from the British Museum mercenary, who wears leather epaulettes across his shoulders, leather cladding to protect his legs and whose lance appears to be topped with an axe-head.  Furthermore, only in the present sheet does the freely-drawn landscape appear, with woodland and a cottage in the distance. 

The figure is also known from two other drawings (referred to by Rowlands as copies after Buch): it appears on a sheet of studies formerly attributed to Tobias Stimmer at Karlsrhue and in a sheet dated 1621 by Hans Friedrich Schorer in which the figure represents Mars.²  It seems likely, therefore, that all the various representations of this figure derive from a common, as yet unknown, prototype.

1.  J. Rowlands, Drawings by German Artists in the Department of Prints and Drawings in the British Museum, 2 vols., London 1993, vol. I, p. 46, cat. no. 98, reproduced vol. II, plate 55, fig. 98
2.  Ibid.