Anthony Palamedesz (Delft 1601 - Amsterdam 1673) - Signed and dated
Guardroom with Trumpeter
Oil on panel (42 x 54 cm - Framed 55 x 67 cm)
Signature: lower left 'f Palamedes 163..'
Authentication: Expertise by Dr. R. Colace
Provenance: Sotheby's, Amsterdam, November 14, 2006, Estimate: EUR 8,000-12,000, Sold: EUR 10,000 (link)
Full details (click HERE)
The scene depicted in the proposed painting falls within a pictorial subject highly appreciated during the golden age of Flemish art, which in Dutch inventories is called Kortegaertges, from the French term corps de garde, meaning guardroom: these are lively and picturesque scenes of soldiers and city guards immortalized in their daily activities.
In our case, the work is a wonderful composition attributed to Anthonie Palamedesz (Delft 1601 - Amsterdam 1673), signed and accompanied by a study by art historian Raffaella Colace, further confirming this attribution.
Unlike depictions of this genre executed by contemporary authors, Palamedesz's paintings are always imbued with great elegance, not depicting caterers and prostitutes, but elegant women, probably wives of officers, with the children they take care of.
In our beautiful painting, where two soldiers are immortalized in a moment of recollection and rest, the first is seated with the rod in his hand and waits for a servant to bring him the drum, while the other, standing, is already busy playing a trumpet.
It should be remembered that in the Netherlands of the 17th century, the armies used trumpet players (trompetter) and drummers (trommelslagers) for their military music, to provide rhythm during marches, signals and announcements, and therefore played a fundamental role in military tradition.
In representations like this, didactic themes can also be identified: the soldiers depicted at rest often engage in pastimes associated with moral weakness, such as playing cards, smoking, drinking wine.
Palamedesz makes a modification to this standard, and specifically inserts a further key figure for the message of the painting: a woman holding a child. He was the only painter to depict women in this type of representation as mothers, rather than as people of easy virtue.
The painter therefore wanted to contrast, to the figures of the soldier-warrior, therefore the archetype of the male world, the feminine archetype personified instead by the mother. Even the worlds of war and peace intersect in his works: the trumpeter who calls to military duty is a figure of Mars, while the unsuspecting woman who takes care of her child is a figure of Venus, who tames him.
Anthonie Palamedesz addressed this theme countless times and in many variations, some of which are now in the most prestigious international collections. Our painting can be compared, especially for the subject, with the painting of the National Museum of Krakow, Poland (inv.nr. DMNKCz 122) (link: https://rkd.nl/images/211456).
In particular, the figure of the soldier playing the trumpet is almost a signature element of his works, which we find replicated on numerous occasions. Among these, for example, the painting entitled 'Interior of a guard room with an officer playing the trumpet in front of a mother and a child' (Christie's, London, April 28, 2006, Lot 49, oil on panel, 46.7 x 62.9 cm.), which incorporates the same player (https://www.christies.com/en/lot/lot-4697167?ldp_breadcrumb=back).
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
The images were created using a photographic set and professional lighting, the painting may appear slightly darker if not properly lit.
The work is sold complete with a pleasant antique frame and is accompanied by a certificate of authenticity and a descriptive iconographic sheet.
We take care of and organize the transport of purchased works, both for Italy and abroad, through professional and insured carriers.
It is also possible to see the painting in the gallery in Riva del Garda, we will be happy to welcome you to show you our collection of works.
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