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508 - Battle, possibly from the life of Constantine. Circle of Ant…
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Estimate €9,500 - €14,000
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Description
Battle, possibly from the life of Constantine. Circle of Antonio Tempesta. Italian School. 17th century Oil on canvas. Dimensions 175 x 222 cm. A monumental historical composition centred on a violent cavalry engagement, in which horsemen armed with swords and lances clash amidst intense battles unfolding across a vast landscape. In the foreground, several rearing horses and armed figures create a dynamic core of great visual impact, whilst in the background numerous combatants are arranged in successive planes, amplifying the epic scale of the scene. A powerful beam of light descending from the sky illuminates a rocky outcrop crowned by distant figures, an element that introduces a providential and symbolic dimension linked to the tradition of Constantinian representations. The composition is structured by intersecting diagonals, undulating rhythms, and a complex accumulation of figures that intensify the sense of continuous movement and narrative tension. The artistic quality of the work is evident in the effective spatial articulation, the variety of the combatants’ poses, and the meticulous depiction of horses, armour and banners, rendered with remarkable decorative flair. The use of chiaroscuro and the contrasts between light and shadow help to heighten the drama of the battle and the sense of depth in the scene. Stylistically, the painting retains characteristic features of late Italian Mannerism, evident in the compositional complexity and the dynamism of the figures, which are already integrated into a sensibility fully in keeping with the early Baroque. The work is related to the models popularised by Antonio Tempesta and his circle, artists specialising in large-scale historical and military scenes that achieved extraordinary popularity in Europe thanks to their visually rich narrative compositions. It stands as a prominent example of 17th-century Italian war painting, capable of combining visual spectacle, heroic exaltation, and ...
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About the sale GRAND SUMMER AUCTION OF HAUTE ÉPOQUE AND PRIVATE COLLECTIONS
Auction location
Auction time 06/29/2026 at 4:00 AM
Pictures credits: Contact the Auction House
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