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Gambargin — Condottiere Lucrezia di Firenze of Italian League

Published: 2013-08-13 07:20:35 +0000 UTC; Views: 6022; Favourites: 112; Downloads: 0
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Description

This Drawing is Outdated - Please see the Updated version in the Gallery Folder of Women Warriors of Historically Wrong Sketch Series: Medieval Revisited


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My attempt at drawing European Female Warriors for the Historically wrong series. This character was inspired from reading the works of Niccolò Machiavelli and the chronicles of Cesare Borgia in the Italian Renaissance period.

I have to admit that many artist would often draw their European Female warriors in beautifully designed plate armor (regardless of its practicality) and graciously long hair decorated with accessories. It would be similar to the romantic portrayal of the famous Joanne d árc during the hundred years war. As for my character, she is pretty plain in comparison.

If you notice, Her name can be roughly translated from Italian (pardon if my grammar is wrong) "Mercenary Captain Lucrezia of Florence". As the name suggest, she is different than the various romantic portrayal of Female "Knights". While Knights were exclusively nobles who held strong ideals and "Chivalric" value, mercenaries were not bound by such constrictive concept. Swiss and the Italians were known for their mercenaries, composed of seasoned fighters and professional soldiers, these men fight for gold and silver and would gladly wage brutal war against their employer's enemies....providing their employer have enough gold to sustain these men.

In this drawing, Lucrezia is drawn with stylized Coat of Plates as her armor. Her weapons would consist of a crossbow, a dagger, a light steel broadsword and a buckler (small metal shield). The buckler can provide an extensive protection to the body with the advantage of its lightweight and if the dagger is combined with her broadsword, she can create a deadly fast and furious fighting combination that utilizes cross parry and offensive maneuver. This style would be very effective even against more heavily armed and armored enemies, such as knight in plate armor. Coat of plates were much more readily available and affordable in comparison to plate armour, and required little maintenance with the practical advantage of being able to be equipped easily.

Historically speaking, European female mercenaries were rarely documented, although it was possible for women to attain wealth through trades in the Italian city states and took part in fighting while escorting her trade goods.

Inspired by the music : Andreas Waldetoft - A Tuscan Night

www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Jq5tP…

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Comments: 17

DeathNyx [2015-02-17 22:16:41 +0000 UTC]

She looks indeed proud and strong, like Matilda of Tuscany (Matilde di Canossa).

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BrowncoatMando [2013-09-17 20:42:16 +0000 UTC]

My story for her(per your contest) is written around this picture.

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xelianthought [2013-09-03 16:38:08 +0000 UTC]

Awesome!

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Gambargin In reply to xelianthought [2013-09-07 01:53:41 +0000 UTC]

Thank you

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BrowncoatMando [2013-08-30 14:27:10 +0000 UTC]

DO NOT CROSS HER! she looks like she knows how to kill you about 15 different with just her hands

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Gambargin In reply to BrowncoatMando [2013-09-07 01:54:11 +0000 UTC]

Hahahahaa, that's the nicest comment i've received about her. Thank you very much

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Hashashin619 [2013-08-13 18:49:23 +0000 UTC]

she poses like a boss!

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Gambargin In reply to Hashashin619 [2013-08-14 06:31:27 +0000 UTC]

Hahahaha! she's the boss of a mercenary company and has the rights to chill like a boss

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BrossUno [2013-08-13 14:29:10 +0000 UTC]

I have run out of stuff to say about these things. They all look so good, and the notes below the picture are always really fun to read over. But I think my favorite part about this is her hair for some reason. It looks really good overall though.

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Gambargin In reply to BrossUno [2013-08-14 06:35:13 +0000 UTC]

Indeed, thank you for the compliment. I wanted to create a short of independent and strong character for this one, an image of a female warrior rather than princess in battle dress. So i decided the short curly hair would suit best.

Technically speaking, it's much safer to go into battle with short hair (in the event her helmet is knocked off). Having a long hair flowing around in combat is an invitation for the enemy to grab it.

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AuriV1 [2013-08-13 13:37:21 +0000 UTC]

Fantastic work! As always, a very practical, yet wonderfully detailed armor.

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Gambargin In reply to AuriV1 [2013-08-14 06:30:35 +0000 UTC]

Thank you Auri, although i have to admit it is still less intricate as compare to the other artists

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bebesdupoire [2013-08-13 12:05:11 +0000 UTC]

another amazingly simple appearing yet intricate piece. i also like how she is portrayed as just hanging about. this is another inspiring piece!

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Gambargin In reply to bebesdupoire [2013-08-14 06:29:53 +0000 UTC]

Thanks! She's just chilling around, something different than the other warriors i've drawn

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joolita [2013-08-13 11:33:05 +0000 UTC]

As always the details of the armour and clothing are superb, but here i like her pose the most. It is so relaxed and slightly nonchalant. The straw in her mouth is such a lovely touch

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Gambargin In reply to joolita [2013-08-14 06:28:50 +0000 UTC]

Thanks for the compliment

I wanted to portray her differently than the other female warriors (which mostly comes from noble backgrounds), and a bit of tomboyish look by adding the straw

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EarlJr In reply to Gambargin [2013-08-21 04:37:15 +0000 UTC]

Then you have definitely succeeded.  She has a more practical look than most, like a warfighter who has been around the block a few times and knows what works.

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