Spanish school; early seventeenth century. "Pair of battle scenes". Oil on canvas.

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Old Masters, Day 2

By Setdart Auction House

Nov 25, 2021

Set Reminder 2021-11-25 08:30:00 2021-11-25 08:30:00 America/New_York Bidsquare Bidsquare : Old Masters, Day 2 https://www.bidsquare.com/auctions/setdart-auction-house/old-masters-day-2-7886
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• Lot Description

  Spanish school; early seventeenth century. "Pair of battle scenes". Oil on canvas. Measurements: 43 x 34 cm (x2); 52 x 43 cm (frames, x2). Pair of oval format canvases representing a battle scene in each of the works that make up the lot. There are certain similarities between both works that are reflected through the tonalities used by the artist, and a relatively similar composition in the two scenes. In addition, it is worth mentioning that in both cases the artist has opted for active representations that reflect the climax of the battle, with the main characters attacking and the horses in cabriole, thus demonstrating great dynamism. In both images the author poses a succession of shots, in which he introduces the protagonists of the battle, while in the last shot a landscape can be observed in one of them, in both cases some mountains that merge with the orange sky. This type of paintings of battles had a wide development, caused by the theme, which not only extolled the victories of those who had participated in the battle. But beyond this testimonial feature, these paintings reflected with their theme, scenes of historical character. A genre that was widely valued, being considered the best in the history of art, for extolling the virtues and the noble spirit of the acts. Due to the clothes worn by the main characters in the scene, it is likely that it is a representation of the War of the Spanish Succession (1701-1714), caused by the death of Charles II, who died in 1700 without any direct descendant, who could opt for the throne. Although weakened by more than a century of continuous conflict, in 1700 the Spanish Empire was still a world power with vast dominions that included the Spanish Netherlands, much of Italy, the Philippines and part of the Americas. Charles' closest heirs were members of the Austrian Habsburgs or French Bourbons; the acquisition of an undivided Spanish empire by either threatened the European balance of power.

  Dimensions:
  43 x 34 cm (x2); 52 x 43 cm (frames, x2).

  INV Number:
  35256459
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