Five Foot Soldiers and a Mounted Turk

"Five Foot Soldiers and a Mounted Turk" by Albrecht Dürer is a powerful early engraving dating to approximately 1495. This highly detailed print exemplifies the emerging mastery of the German Renaissance artist. Produced shortly after Dürer’s first trip to Italy, the work showcases his sophisticated handling of the burin to create complex texture and contrast on the copper plate.

The scene captures five heavily armed foot soldiers positioned defensively, their long spears and swords creating a dense, angular barrier across the foreground. Their armor and determined stances suggest a moment of tense confrontation, reflecting the realities of European military life at the end of the 15th century. These figures contrast sharply with the central presence: a lone mounted Turk whose horse dominates the upper section of the composition. The dynamic grouping of the men and the visually distinct representation of the infantry facing the imposing rider makes this one of Dürer's significant early prints dealing with military themes.

Dürer’s proficiency in printmaking rapidly established him as a leading artistic figure across Europe, ensuring wide circulation of his images. The accessibility and detail of his prints revolutionized the dissemination of art during the period. This remarkable historical engraving is currently housed in the permanent collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York. Given the age of the original plate, high-quality images of this seminal Dürer work are often available through public domain resources, allowing scholars and enthusiasts worldwide access to this Renaissance print.