How the miniature “Italian Man-at-arms” came about

The subject is inspired by an old drawing of Giuseppe Rava which I bought years ago and in which the same Rava has featured a soldier of notable commercial success. Proposed according to the La Meridiana style, in a static pose, its main characteristic element lies in the armour made in Lombardy. An inexhaustible source for study and research to reproduce in the correct way the Italian armour of the XVth century was the publication of Lionello G. Boccia “Le armature di S. Maria delle Grazie di Curtatone di Mantova e l’armatura lombarda del ‘400” (The armour of S. Maria delle Grazie di Curtatone di Mantova and the armour of Lombardy of the 1400s) edited by Bramante. A common characteristic of the armour of the period, it must be noted, is the asymmetry between the right and left shoulder in order to allow good movement in managing the weapons.

Our man-at-arms has head protection, wears a barbut adorned with a padded velvety “crown” decorated with the typical colours of the family lineage. The only liberty from the original drawing is the pole weapon. In fact the halberd substitutes the poled roncone.

In conclusion I would like to recall an episode related to this subject. In one of the model shows where I had the opportunity to meet Giuseppe Rava, on revealing to him my intentions to produce the Man-at-arms depicted in his drawing, the designer, in all sincerity, wished me all possible commercial success for my (our) soldier. Small episode? Still, quite important!