Battle between Christian and Turkish cavalry, Antonio Calza (Verona, 1653 – Verona 1725)

Antonio Calza (Verona, 1653 – Verona 1725) - Battle between Christian and Turkish cavalry Oil on canvas (47 x 85 cm. - Framed 66 x 105 cm.) Full details (click HERE) Here we see illustrated a spirited battle between Christian and Turkish cavalry, characterized by marked dynamism and expressive force. The two sides are in the thick of the clash, with fallen bodies and wounded horses scattered on the ground, along with discarded weapons and a drum that accentuate the drama of the encounter. These elements, combined with the intense chromatic range, attention to lighting conditions, and the decisive, dramatic brushwork, suggest attribution to Antonio Calza (Verona, 1653 – April 18, 1725), one of the most influential battle painters of the 17th century. In Rome, he became a student and then one of the best followers of Jacques Courtois (known as Borgognone) (Saint-Hyppolite 1621 – Rome 1676), between the late 17th and the first quarter of the 18th century. While assimilating his master's teachings, he was able to develop a personal style, based primarily on the unmistakable dynamic development of the narrative and on vibrant, lively chromaticism, characterized by striking reds and blues. Although smaller in dimensions, in the work under examination we can find the peculiar stylistic characteristics of Calza's painting, particularly figures and details recurring in his battles, which can be implicitly considered his signature. In this regard, it is easy to compare the proposed painting with others from his pictorial corpus, collected by Giancarlo Sestieri in the essay 'Painters of Battles, Italian and Foreign Masters of the 17th and 18th Centuries,' among which we have selected some works that we present below (illustrations are provided in the details): - Battle with Trumpeter and Drummer, 97x124.5 cm, Verona Museo di Castelvecchio - Battle between Christians and Turks before a fortress, Rome, Antiques Market of the '40s - Clash of Knights in Armor, 65 x 81 cm. Venice, Private Collection - Battle of Christian and Turkish cavalry before a square tower, 80 x 103 cm. Bergamo, Private Collection - Battle between Christian and Turkish cavalry, 93 x 122.5 cm. Ljubljana, Narodna Galerija - Battle between Christians and Turks before burning city, 99 x 128 cm. Vienna, Kunsthistorisches Museum Among the typical elements, the frequent towers that help set the scene for the compositions are undoubtedly significant. Together with clouds and black smoke, they create a kind of scenic presence around the area of conflict. The painter often introduces a fallen horse, of which only the hindquarters are visible, an artifice to engage the viewer, making them active participants in the scene. Likewise, the fallen bodies in the foreground are often depicted lying forward with their heads turned towards the viewer. Finally, a detail present in many of Calza's canvases is a drum, placed in the foreground, overturned and abandoned. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Good state of preservation, complete with gilded frame. The work is sold with a certificate of authenticity and a descriptive iconographic sheet. We handle and organize the transportation of purchased works, both within Italy and abroad, through professional and insured carriers. It is also possible to view the painting in our gallery in Riva del Garda; we would be pleased to welcome you to show you our collection of works. Contact us, without obligation, for any additional information. Follow us also on: INSTAGRAM https://www.instagram.com/galleriacastelbarco/?hl=it FACEBOOK https://www.facebook.com/galleriacastelbarco/