This is something that I saw many years ago in a museum in Varazdin. Simple but beautiful painted wooden circles, calligraphy writings and lots of holes made by archers shooting at it.
It was part of the cultural tradition among the hunters and civil archers society in 18th and 19th century in Europe, but painted target tradition is much older than that.
Shooting painted targets were not always used for shooting, but for calligraphy dedicated trophy that was given to the best archers, or traditional ceremonial gift to mark hunting anniversaries.
I wanted to add myself to that tradition so I painted around 20 pieces mostly with animal and hunting motifs.
I used round wooden board and painted it with acrylics. Calligraphy writings are Latin sentences that I find suitable.
"Fides est scutum meum" means Faith is my shield. The legend has it that salamanders were born in fire and are immune to it. Because of that, they represent those who pass through the fires of passion, temptation and burning desire without a stain.
"In peace act as a wise man " (Always be prepared for war)
"Who will guard the guards themselves?"
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