JCC [Image heavy]A thread for art: See note on page 776

By Pablo Picasso

 

Don't know the artist, by the way of http://siberia-miniatures.ru/forum/showthread.php?fid=12&tid=10

 

By Vincent Van Gogh

 

Mongol woman-warrior
By ShWaK

 

This one is by Leonardo da Vinci.

 

Vadim Sadovski: Catstronaut

https://www.artstation.com/artwork/aeDm0

 

By Ralph McQuarrie

 

Robin Rapp: Rose & the Critters

https://www.artstation.com/artwork/baBOKr

 

Mongol Archer
By HappyMorningStar

 

Dave Stevens

 

Lalla Zuhayra of Al-Mamlakati Al-Murnakus (Berber)
By Gambargin

"A Concept drawing for the Maghrebi/Berber/Moorish Woman Warrior as part of the Historically Wrong Sketch Series: Medieval Revisited which aims to portray Women Warriors of various cultures in a fictitious historical settings based on AD 800s - AD 1400s era of warfare. Lalla Zuhayra represents the Medieval Maghreb power that ruled Modern day Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia, or in medieval setting, The Moors and the Northern African Muslim power.

Inspired by the music - Shazeef by Bustan Abraham Essemble


INTRODUCTION

The History of the Islamic Western front is somewhat different and unique that that from central Arabia and Eastern Front like Transxonia and Persia, since the land that stretched along the north-African coast were ruled by the indigenous Berber people, whom the Arabs referred to as Imaziyen. In the wake of great Islamic Expansions in the 7th century, the Berbers converted to Islam and became the major driving force in expanding the Muslims border as far as Iberia (Andalusia). However, Local conflict and tensions with the Arabs led to the establishment of native berber dynasties independent from the seat of power of the caliphate and their successors.


DRAWING COMMENTARIES

In here, Princess Zuhayra binti Muzzamadin of the House of Itberin, is depicted in a rather stylized, expensive and intricate clothing, with similarly decorated headdress to reflect the thick clothing that the Berber people normally wear, projecting her image as a noble princess from the ruling dynasty. Though not shown here, she would be wearing either padded cloth, or chainmail underneath her thick robe, as well as metal cap on her head wrapped in turban for protection. Her weapons are pretty simple, more for defensive rather than offensive, with sword hung from the shoulder (common to early Muslim soldiers), as well as an ornate dagger.

I tried to experiment in drapperies as well as detailed architecture. Unfortunately, the Moorish style arches are less than refined and the fold of her clothing may be be abit too less detailed. The lack of chainmail or armor gave me a opportunity to focus more on the background and her clothing, which in my opinion, less tedious but more challenging to make

Women who ruled in power and fought in battle were perhaps no stranger to the Berber world. One of the famous figure was Kahitna, a 7th century Berber Queen that ruled numidia, led and fought against the Muslims in their conquest of northern africa. Though her story mayu be mixed with myth and legend, her descendant converted to Islam after her death, and participated in the Invasion of iberia. Apart from her, Berber society uphold the position of women, out of which, mother occupies the highest respect. This tradition continued well after they adopted Islam as their religion.

[...]

HISTORICAL COMMENTARIES


The Warriors of Western Muslim world, which composed mainly the Berber people, often referred to as the Moors after their invasion of Spain, is rather tricky one to depict. First of all, they are not Arabs (Semitic) but rather, a group of Afro-Asiatic people that inhabited the northern part of Africa. Nevertheless, when the Muslims came to their land, they adopted some of the customs, the religion as well as the language of the Arab, though the indigenous Berber language still remains distinct and unique to this day.

Their origin is somewhat still speculated, but historians believed that the Maghreb world had been inhabitted by the berber people since 10,000 BCE. subsistence and pastoral farming grew somewhere arounf 6000 BCE and from there on, the land was ruled by several Berber dynasties, before their unification under King Masinissa somewhere in 3rd century BCE under the kingdom of Numibia. Several foreigners came in contact with them during the classical antiquity, several of them includes the Polynesian, Greeks, Romans, Hand Vandals. Interestingly enough, the Berber people still maintained their distinct image, and i suppose their foreign neighbors preferred to left them alone during the classical antiquity.

However, it all changed when Islam came to the region in the 7th century and left a profound mark on the Berber people. The religion itself had penetrated every layer of the Berber society but the process of "arabization" was a rather lenghty and complex that only solidified well only after 12th century. Some of the berber people participated and lead the invasion of Iberia, establishing the Muslim rule in Spain, better known as Al-Andalus. The rest, ruled the northern coast of of africa, like that of the Moorish Almohad and Almoravid dynasty of Mauretania, the Hafsids of Tunisia, and the Ziyannids of Algiers. Some of them also invaded Sicily and established their own independent emirates in the island, before being expelled by the Christians.

Although the Berber people embraced Islam dearly in the medieval period, historically speaking, they despised the Arabs who came into their land. Intially, the relationship was cordial and the Berber people quickly adopted the new religion, custom and language but it gets worst after awhile, especially after the Caliphate of the Ummayads. The Berbers received discriminatory treatment, often being regarded as second-class citizens by the Arabs, that too, after taxing them heavily. Worst of all, many of the Berber people were actually enslaved by the Arabs, something that became a trade commodity even well into the early modern world. This resulted in several revolts and rise of Berber dominions over the Maghreb world, whose rulers were independent from the influence and decree of the successive Caliphates. This tensions were also felt in Andalusia as well, which was responsible for some of the conflicts that caused the disintegration of al-Andalus into smaller, weaker taifas kingdoms that became easy target for the Christian Iberians to overcome in their Reconquista."

 

Jay Myers: Buck Rogers

https://www.artstation.com/artwork/rR9ekL

 

The Wu Twins of Hua Empire
By Gambargin

"A drawing representing the women warriors of the Chinese Hua Empire from the historically wrong sketch. The dress and armor is a stylized version combining the fashion from the Tang, Late Ming to Manchurian Qing Dynasty, which can be assumed as historically anachronistic.

The Chinese folklore tells us about the Women Warriors Hua Mulan (remember the Disney Movie Mulan?), a girl who served in the army of the Northern Wei Dynasty. Apart from that, one can also find the story of Fu Hao, the wife of King Wu Ding of Shang dynasty, who lead his army as a general and high priestess. Then we have the empress Wu Zetian of Tang, who ruled with absolute authority and was controversial figure in Chinese History.

However, the general acceptance that women could serve in the army or took part in battle was very rare in Historical China. The Confucian concept of Filial Piety dictated that women should serve her husband and dedicate her life in the household, which was the norm at that time. Women who became otherwise were seen and perceived differently, often in negative way by the conservative society.

The concept of these 2 characters, was born from the Legalism of Qin Dynasty in Ancient China. Legalism was a radical concept back then, implementing a strict bureaucracy, state-ownerships, meritocracy and absolute rule over the people, as opposed to the common practice of Confucianism. This Legalism, transformed the Qin into a highly efficient and ruthless bureaucratic faction that went on to conquer its neighbors and united China for the first time under its first Emperor Qin Shi Huang Di.

Thus, it was possible, albeit very rare, for women to rise up the ranks based on their merits. The Wu Twins are such example, with one dressed in Chinese full body armor made of steel scale and the other, dressed in Imperial Court Dress. I haven't thought of the name yet, but maybe later as i read more about Chinese history.

Inspired by the music: Tan Dun - Gone with the Leaves www.youtube.com/watch?v=sOw5R9…"

 

Mario Wibisono: Golden Goddess Fortuna:

https://www.artstation.com/artwork/BOa28

 

from https://www.deviantart.com/fangwangllin/

 

HWS Women Pirates - Dahlia of Caribbean Sea
By Gambargin

"HWS Women Pirates is a spin-off of the current Historically Wrong Sketch Project: Blood and Steel, with the aim to portray the different types of Women Pirates in the 17th century era, albeit perhaps with lots of stylization and anachronism . Nevertheless, hopefully this will increase the awareness of people about the many pirates that ruled the sea during their golden age, from America, Erope to Asia.

Dance to the tunes of the Caribbean Pirates! - www.youtube.com/watch?v=GUYfql…

The second drawing for the Women Pirates in the Historically Wrong Sketch Series, she is based on the Golden age of Piracy that most people are well known of, the Buccaneers of the Caribbean Sea, both in the 17th and the 18th century. There are many discussions as to how it all started, but it can be agreed that the buccaneering activities was directly related to the Wars that plagued many European nations in the 17th Century. Caribbean and America at that time was colonized by the Spanish, as well as few dutch, french and english settlements. With the Spain at war with the protestant nations of those time, her enemies issued letter of marque to many privateers, mostly Anglo-french, to raid and disturb the Spanish shipping line and trade routes in America. With the end of the war, many of the privateers found themselves 'jobless', and the weakening Spanish who were unable to defend their colonies, become easy targets for these pirates, privateers and buccaneers. What most of the pirates we know now, as depicted in various popular media, would be the ones that had existed in the 18th century (arrrr, ye mate), which is another Golden age of Piracy, resulted after the end of Spanish Successions war.

Now, for most of you who were not aware of, Women Pirates did exists in the history, although details of them are more or less very sketchy. You can find more details here en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Women_in….

The drawing is a conceptual sketch of Women Buccaneers in the Caribbean Sea in the series, by the name of Senora Isabel Hernandez de Alvaro or better known as la Dalia del Caribe. I'm assuming the attires she worn was common for the buccaneers of the 17th century, equipped with multiple pistols, a dagger and a sword for close fighting during ship raids. Unfortunately, as interesting as it may seem, many women pirates were drawn in revealing clothing that looked more like lingerie models than sailors. Indeed, while some design does offer the movement flexibility and the advantages of 'distracting' the enemies of the she-pirates at the cost of modesty, i'd prefer to draw her in clothing that blends with the other buccaneers .

You may notice that i have put the title Senora before her name, which denotes her lesser nobility status. Indeed, lady Isabel is not your typical commoners-turned-to-piracy that lives on cheap grog and plunders. She is an Iberian Noble who had a prestigious upbringing, but perhaps a very radical taste of adventures and ambition. With the Iberian Empire at war with her neighbors, she saw this as an opportunity and brought her own ship and crew, assisting the Iberian Navy as privateer to raid her enemies' ships after being given the letter of marque by Marquise Elvira. She then took her fleet to Caribbean and began her life of adventure in America, raiding across the Pirate Round for glory and Riches, while leading a lifestyle unbound by the complexity of aristocrats and nobility court life.

Unfortunately for her, at one point along the history, she mistakenly raided and plundered an Iberian treasure ship, resulting in her being hunted by the Iberian Navy who was convinced of her 'betrayal'. Eventually, she was captured and was condemned to dungeon in Havana waiting for her execution, where she drown herself in regrets every day. Shortly before her final day, she was offered an amnesty on one condition, with her expertise and skills as ship-captain, she must help the Iberian Armada to eliminate a Barbary Corsair that has been harassing the Mediterranean sea, known as the 'Sea Monster' or Lalla Taljat. The thought of freedom was too good for her for refusal and she accepted the offer without any hesitation. She succeeded in eliminating the Sea Monster fleet of ships, through brilliance as well as superior numbers, backed by the powerful Iberian Armada and Italian Fleets. For her merit in eliminating the Barbary threat, she was granted a land and colony in the Carribean to administer, uplifting her status from petty noble to Governor, serving the Iberian Crown until her death at childbirth, putting the legacy of the Dahlia to an end."

 

Karisvett Lotus: Elemental Deva

https://www.artstation.com/artwork/rV3BO

 

Patrizia Elisa of Serenissima Repubblica di Italia
By Gambargin

"A conceptual sketch of the Italian Woman Warrior for the Historically Wrong Sketch Series Project: Blood and Steel, based on the 17th Century timeline. In this series, the Italians are represented as The Most Serene Republic of Italy, which is an anachronistic union of various trading city states, duchies and independent merchant leagues united under a single banner, ruled by a collective council of Patricians and Powerful Dukes as well as Counts.

Inspired by the music: www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Jq5tP… - A Tuscan Night (Andreas Waldetoft)
Actually... I drew it while listening to www.youtube.com/watch?v=gpc3cC… - Down the Road C2C

When looking at the History of Italian Peninsula, one can only awe that its history is rich with conquest and wealth contested by many powerful kings and emperors. Out of all the famous empire that ruled the Italian Peninsula, was the ancient Romans, who conquered pretty much the known world, whose influence laid many foundation to many European Civilization for centuries to come. The fall of Roman Empire could be said as the mark as the birth of independents Italian powers, whose land were then contested by the Byzantines, the French, Spanish, German, even the Muslims, depending on which historical period you are looking at. Most of the time, the Italian were renowned for their Powerful Independent City States and Merchant Republics (Pisa, Genoa, Venice, etc.), whose patrician families were known for their wealth and major control in European Economy and Market.

The 17th Century was a much more dormant period, where the majority of the Peninsula was ruled by foreign powers. Before then, much of Italy was were booming under renaissance, but the invasion by numerous foreign powers, like the French, Turk, German and Spain. The discovery of new world also diminished the Italian Trade Powers, as Europeans were becoming less dependent on Italian Merhcants and focus more on Colonization Effort to obtain wealth and resources. It was also in this period, that the Catholic-Protestant split diminished the importance of the Papacy, plus, the expansionists Ottomans on the East would always challenge the control over Mediterranean. It was the Austrian Hapsburg that maintained much control of the northern Italian peninsula, which saw a relative period of peace, before Napoleon Invaded Italy in the early 19th century.

Italy has a very complex history, owing to its unique and more progressive political, philosophical, educational and cultural policy, in comparison to the other more conservative, feudal and traditional Europeans. I would really suggest that you read it's history in depth, as my limited knowledge could barely scratch the surface.


When trying to draw my Italian character, especially in the !7th Century Era, it was actually quite challenging to come up with attires that would resemble the stereotypical Italian Renaissance fashion, especially on Women, while at the same time, creating something which would be at least practical in combat situation. After much research, I drew Patrizia Elisa of the House of Bastavanza, in a fitting clothing for fease of movement (it's actually a male clothing), with cape/coat as well as various jewelries. Her clothing would have been made with the finest silk, for the added advantage of minimizing damage caused by arrow, dagger stab or crossbow bolts (a common protective garment, used by the mongols).

Given her status as a patrician, it it less likely that she would take part in direct combat. Even if she is armed with an estoc, a dagger or pistol, her skill would be limited to self defense. On the other hand, She would have had an army of personal bodyguards and her own merchant fleets, which would be enough to fight a poorly armed, undisciplined army of levies, irregulars as well as small bands of pirates. Elisa's true skill lies in her ability in managing a merchant empire and trade power, rivaling her competitors across europe...and most importantly, she trades in gunpowder and guns. Although, most of the time, she prefers to stay politically neutral, the rising power of various states and Empires would one day, drag the Italian in the volatile conflict and wars that drags on in the series.


If there is any italian out there, please pardon the anachronistic portrayal in the series.

 

HWS Women Pirates - Gerda the Sea-Beggar
By Gambargin


""Liever Turks dan Paaps"


HWS Women Pirates is a spin-off of the current Historically Wrong Sketch Project: Blood and Steel, with the aim to portray the different types of Women Pirates in the 17th century era, albeit perhaps with lots of stylization and anachronism. Nevertheless, hopefully this will increase the awareness of people about the many pirates that ruled the sea during their golden age, from America, Erope to Asia. This drawing, represents one of the most influential, yet relatively unknown group of Dutch privateers, one that made a great impact not in bringing down an empire, but creating a new one.

Dance to the tunes of the Brave Dutch Men and Women! www.youtube.com/watch?v=5cQCL6…

There are many pirates and privateers, from the most notorious to the least known, that existed in the history books. However, in my opinion, there was only one that changed the course of Europe's History, and the Entire world. They were known as the Dutch Sea-Beggars or Watergeuzen , and this 3rd drawing of the Pirate series, is a representation of them to give a different image of pirates that we know today.

The dutch, and for the most part of low countries, were relatively less known that their neighbors who were the Ambitious Germans, Proud Frenchmen, Brave Scandinavians as well as the Royal Englishmen. Inl the 16th century, they were ruled by the House of Hapsburg, who were at that time, were trying to exert their authority over the low countries, along with the persecutions of the Protestants and high taxes. This, caused resentment amongst the dutch people, and afterwards, a group of Calvinist Nobles gathered, marched and petitioned to the ruling regent, Duchess of Parma. Alarmed by the sudden gatherings, the dutch nobles were later dismissed by the regent, whose court referred them as "Les Gueux", or "Beggars" in English. The name would later be adopted by the nobles in a patriotic spirit, who swore that they would be ready to even be beggars for their nation's cause and independence. Of course, this opposition did not last long, and they were utterly crushed by the Hapsburg shortly after. However, their legacy carried on in the hearts of many of their fellow countrymen, and one man came to claim its leadership and ideals who openly revolted against the Hapsburg rule, a man known by his name as "William of Orange".

William issued letter of marquee to various desperado from various background, as privateers, to disturb the Spanish Shipping line. Most of the privateers were known to be reckless, and brave enough to the point of absurdity, which earned them the nickname as Sea-Beggars. Initially the pirates were only active in raiding shipping convoys and traded their loots at English port, but When Queen Elizabeth of England refused to accept their ships and closed the English harbor, the Sea beggar became desperate and launched an attack on Briele, and managed to capture it in a surprise due to the absence of Spanish garrison at that time. After their success, the Sea-beggars then subsequently sailed, invaded and captured Vlissingen, due to its strategic importance.

The capture of the 2 towns, eventually prompted nearby towns to Revolt against the Hapsburg rule, and in a short amount of time, caused a major chain reaction that lead to numerous provinces joining the revolt for Netherlands, therefore, starting as what some scholars refer to the true beginning of Dutch War of Independence. It was through the audacity of these Sea-beggars, that many dutch people were inspired to fight for their freedom. Eventually, they succeeded in establishing their own independent United Dutch Republic. Although, a comparatively small nation in the eyes of the Giants of European Power, the dutchmen were proud seamen and traders, who went as far as India, Africa, America and East Indies and were revered as one of Europe's powerful trading and sea power.

Anyway, enough history lesson now. It's a bit funny to write this essay, given that the dutch ruled my country, Indonesia, for almost 3 centuries "

 

David Nakayama: Soloria: Outlaw Gunfighter

https://www.artstation.com/artwork/nLJr

 

HWS Blood and Steel: The Orhans War Drums
By Gambargin

"An upgraded concept sketch of the Turkish Woman Warrior in the Historically Wrong Sketch Project: Blood and Steel, set in the 17th Century Era of warfare and based on the Ottomans Empire at that time.

Inspired by the music: www.youtube.com/watch?v=oIEruM…

I felt that i have left the Turkish for sometime, so decided to return and do some re-sketching of Ikhal Effendy Apek Ergotoglu to project more of the ambitious nature and Military might of the Orhan Empire. Here, I redesigned the headdress with a longer feather decoration to create a much more striking image. The overall Janissary dress has also been redesigned, although it is more stylized than historically accurate if anyone can notice. Regardless, It would be wrong to say that female janissary existed, as memberships and recruits were drawn exclusively from the christian boys within the domain of the Ottoman Empire. Although, it the historically wrong sketch series, anything is possible, and the title Ikhal Effendi is used for the Sultan's favorite harem, so she could possibly be entrusted with military affairs or martial duty (Which is almost impossible in real life)

The ink has been dried, the Sultan's command has been announced, and the Orhan Empire has finally sounded their war drums. Their Invasion of Eastern Europe has finally begun, with 80,000 men, loyal to the sultan's command, descended upon Carpathia and another 100,000 sailed towards Crimea to take over the Steppe Khanate before launching their assault to the Tsar's domain and the Wendish Sovereignity.

Here, i have drawn Apek during the assault on one of the Carpathians fortification, whereby she is about to draw her sabre and execute the Carpathian Commander, the father of Margit Haraszt, the Magyar Woman Warrior in the series. What will become of her will be explained in another drawings.

Historically speaking, in the period of 14th to 17th century, the Ottomans launched numerous successful invasion of the balkans, taking over the Byzantine capital Constantinople and staging further conquest towards Hungary, Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, Wallachia and finally the Hapsburg, who defeated them in Vienna in the late 17th century, marking the end of Ottoman Military Supremacy over Europe."