"Last Roar of the Lion" Topic

I have just finished painting a command base to represent Gustav II Adolf at the forthcoming Battle of Lutzen game at Salute 2019.

Gustav II Adolf, also known as the 'Lion of the North', is one of the iconic figures of the Thirty Years War, and is famous amongst wargamers for many military innovations. Lutzen, 1632, was the second and last of Gustav's major battles in the Thirty Years War. His death in the battle cemented Gustav's position as a hero of the Protestant cause at the time, and as a national icon for Sweden to this day.

Gustav is therefore a key figure to represent at the battle.

The model was a joy to paint. A nicely detailed metal casting that fitted together (man and horse) very easily. I undercoated in Humbrol enamel matt black (seems to be a growing trend!) and then painted in Vallejo acrylics. Finished off with a coat of Daler-Rowney matt acrylic varnish, which I find to be the mattest finish out there. I have tried to give an impression of Gustav in the same clothing looted from his body in the battle, riding Streiff.

More pics and details on my blog here.

link

What a cool command stand! Gustavus is one of my favorites!

Very dynamic!

Nicely done but I am still not convinced about the appearance of the two other riders. Why not choose a more conventional Swedish looking figure?

Thank you, Rusty, 79th, and Marcus.

I was happy with the look of the 'followers' as Gustav seems to have had a great mixture of people from different places in his entoruage at Lutzen, and the German Prince and Yorkshireman have a typical mid 17th century look to me. I also wanted figures that matched the dynamic pose of Gustav himself.

I have an expanding TYW collection so very open to further suggestions on command figures? I see that TAG does a Gustav figure in a much calmer pose, and that may make a nice alternative.

Darn fine work!

Looks great, but the rider nearest the cannon barrel seems to have his head in a very curious position.

Gustav Adolfs entourage would not have looked the least bit 'Swedish', the Crown went to great lenghts to adopt a proper and fashionable dress in continental styles for the drabants, pages and others who followed Gustavus in the field. Keep in mind that 'Swedish' apperance was the result of poverty and a bit of backwardness and thus an embarrasment to anyone of noble or royal rank. Add in the various reformado officers waiting for new commands and the is a lot of room for personal interpretations of Gustavs retinue in the 1630s

Thank you Tacitus, and nnascati !

There are some shots from other angles that perhaps help the figure on Gustav's left?

Thanks, Daniel. Sounds like I have room for the 'German Prince' and 'Yorkshireman' :-)

Very nicely done with imaginative use of the figures. I may steal your ideas for my own collection.

Thanks, Paul!