PAIR OF BATTLES - NORTH ITALY - 17TH CENTURY

This pair of oil paintings on canvas represents a splendid testament to the "battles and historical scenes" painting of the Baroque era (attributable to the second half of the 17th century, in the Italian or Northern Italian sphere). The cycle is conceived as a companion pair (matched pair): on one side, the frenetic action of combat, on the other, the solemn and political moment of the meeting or surrender. 1. Iconographic Analysis of the Two Scenes First Painting (On the left): Cavalry Clash in a Battle Subject: A frantic cavalry action in full clash, characterized by overwhelming dynamism and a diagonal composition typical of the Baroque style. Description of Details: Center / Left: A knight with a dark blue plumed helmet braces his sword and charges impetuously. On the right: Another soldier with a shining metal helmet and a vivid red cloak brandishes his sword and defends the decorated banner, while flags and lances pointed towards the sky flutter around. Below: The drama is accentuated by fallen horses and soldiers; in the center, an infantryman in period costume tries to push through with a spear, while between a shield decorated with a gorgon/mythological face and the dust, dismayed faces of overwhelmed soldiers can be glimpsed. Atmosphere: Dynamic, frenetic, dominated by warm tones (reds, browns, golds) contrasting with the blue sky veiled by the smoke clouds of battle. Second Painting (On the right): The Meeting / The King's Surrender Subject: A historical/epic scene of submission or alliance before the fortified walls of a great classical city (imposing towers and circular bastions are visible in the background). Description of Details: Center / Right: The victorious leader arrives on horseback. He wears decorated armor, a flowing scarlet red cloak, and a sumptuous golden helmet topped with a lion figure (a symbol of strength and royalty). He carries a command lance in his hand. On the left: An Eastern/ancient sovereign or dignitary, wearing a crown surmounted by a prominent turban and holding a scepter, extends his hand in a peaceful gesture towards the mounted leader to offer peace or formalize the city's surrender. The retinue: In the background on the right, a long column of horsemen and foot soldiers armed with lances descends from the hill. In the foreground between the two protagonists, a small page/servant is also depicted kneeling. Atmosphere: More solemn and narrative, focused on diplomacy and the outcome of the conflict. 2. Stylistic and Technical Analysis Period and Origin: 17th Century. The way of stylizing armor "à l'antique" (heroic), the plumed helmets, the rendering of the horses (inspired by the Flemish and Roman derivations of Jacques Courtois known as Borgognone, Salvator Rosa, and Francesco Monti) perfectly position the work within the Baroque collecting taste for battle scenes. Palette and Light: Strong use of chiaroscuro to accentuate the drama and the muscular relief/armor. The cinnabar red of the cloaks serves as a visual focal point in both compositions to balance the two paintings when displayed together. Condition and Back: The canvases show the typical patina and craquelure consistent with the period. The back shows a relining from the 19th/20th century. Beautiful contemporary carved and gilded wood frames. Summary This is a beautiful, very theatrical, and well-balanced Baroque companion pair, a perfect example of 17th-century "genre" painting that combined the fascination for classical military exploits with a taste for action, military virtue, and the exoticism of details (crowns, helmets, and fantastic architectures). Dimensions: 112 x 88 cm including the frame, 97 x 73 cm canvas only A regular certificate of authenticity with photos will be issued. We assure a response to your emails within 24 hours. REGISTERED IN THE EXPERTS AND CTU REGISTER AT THE COURT OF LA SPEZIA