Art Institute of Chicago
Polish Horseman
Stefano della Bella
- Date
- c. 1651
- Medium
- Etching in black on ivory laid paper
- Culture
- Italy
- Department
- Prints and Drawings
- Institution
- Art Institute of Chicago
The Polish winged hussars were the most feared cavalry unit in mid-17th-century Europe. They charged directly at the opposing army in tight formation at full speed, splintering the enemy’s ranks. Constructed out of brightly colored ostrich, goose, or swan feathers and affixed via a wooden arch to the horseman’s back, the wings also created tremendous noise. The clatter and hiss of a legion of these riders thundering down frightened horse and foot soldier alike, and enemies of Poland sometimes surrendered on sight.
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- Object type
- AAT300041273
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