Diagram for Lance Practice

Cleveland Museum of Art

The Diagram for Lance Practice by René-Antoine Ferchault de Réaumur shows a detailed drawing divided into sections. The drawing depicts a large diagram with a central panel divided by a thick line down the middle. The left side features three horizontal sections, each showing a knight on horseback holding a lance and positioned differently in relation to a long, low barrier. The knights and their horses are shown at different stages of a lance practice exercise. The right side of the diagram includes two detailed drawings: one at the top showing the components of a lance and another below it displaying a circular diagram with labeled parts and lines. The diagram is framed by a border resembling architectural moldings with rectangular indents containing illegible text. The entire diagram appears to be hand-drawn in black and white.