Florentine Painter, 17th-18th Century
Equestrian portrait of Pietro Strozzi (Florence, 1511 – Thionville, 1558)
Oil on canvas
cm. 79 x 115 - In frame cm. 92 x 127
Full details (click HERE)
A valiant knight, proud in his sumptuous armor outlined with golden ornaments, intent on controlling his rearing horse, is placed at the center of our painting. In the background, a landscape of the Tuscan Apennines, with army troops preparing to support a battle.
This would be the condottiero Pietro Strozzi (Florence, 1511 – Thionville, 1558) immortalized here during one of the phases of the War of Siena (Battle of Marciano): when, in July 1554, the Medici army, together with imperial allies, after besieging Marciano which was in French hands, was attacked by the army of Florentine exiles commanded by Piero Strozzi.
The same event was often revisited in 16th-century painting, for example by Giovanni Stradano (Bruges, 1523-1605) or his pupil Antonio Tempesta (Florence 1555 - Rome 1630), a leading artist for the 17th-century development of the pictorial genre of 'battles'; the canvas, as a whole, echoes the style and compositional choices of their work, both prominent exponents of late Mannerist culture of the late 16th and early 17th centuries, emulated by many authors of the period.
From the equestrian portrait of the condottiero, the armor stands out, in its splendor and richness, which recalls those prevalent in Tuscan courts during the 16th century, drawing inspiration from ancient art, from paintings of the time, and especially from widely distributed engravings by the disciples of Raphael and Giulio Romano.
Very beautiful is the detail of the mascaron impressed on the shield, one of the fanciful decorations typical of the restless period of Mannerism.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
The work is completed by a pleasant gilded wooden frame and is sold with a certificate of authenticity and a descriptive iconographic sheet.
We handle and organize the transport of purchased works, both within Italy and abroad, through professional and insured carriers.
Should you wish to see this or other works in person, we will be happy to welcome you to our new gallery in Riva del Garda, at Viale Giuseppe Canella 18. We look forward to seeing you!
Contact us for any information, we will be happy to respond.
Follow us also on:
https://www.instagram.com/galleriacastelbarco/?hl=it
https://www.facebook.com/galleriacastelbarco/
