Uccello, 'The Battle of San Romano', probably about 1438-40.

'The Battle of San Romano' is an early exercise in perspective, and a piece of Florentine propaganda. It is one of a set of three paintings that celebrate a relatively insignificant skirmish between Florentine and Sienese forces in 1432. (In the early 15th century, Italy was not a united country, but made up of city states such as Florence, Milan and Siena.)

In Uccello's painting, the battle resembles a scene from a romance tale of chivalry. Knights in shining armour were a hugely popular theme in Renaissance literature and art and appeared in paintings, frescoes, tapestries and on furniture.

Powerful rulers in Renaissance Italy enjoyed having themselves represented as chivalric heroes in paintings. The champion of this painting, however, Niccolò da Tolentino, was a mercenary of dubious heroism.

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