Artwork
Abzug der Reiterei (angeblich)
Abzug der Reiterei (angeblich) is an unspecified painting by the French Classical Baroque artist Jacques Courtois. It dates from 1648 and is held in the collection of the Bavarian State Painting Collections. Created in 1648, this oil painting records a tumultuous cavalry withdrawal set against a rugged, mountainous backdrop.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1648, this oil painting records a tumultuous cavalry withdrawal set against a rugged, mountainous backdrop. The composition is dominated by a mass of horsemen and infantry, many of whom appear wounded or fallen, underscoring the chaos of combat. Muted earth tones and a stark contrast of light and shadow give the scene a somber, dramatic atmosphere.
Subject & Meaning
The work captures the moment of a retreating mounted force, emphasizing the vulnerability of soldiers amid disorder. Figures are shown both in frantic motion and immobilized on the ground, suggesting the sudden reversal of battle fortunes. The portrayal invites reflection on the fragility of martial glory and the human cost inherent in warfare.
Technique & Style
Employing a chiaroscuro palette typical of the French Classical Baroque, the artist juxtaposes deep shadows with illuminated forms to model volume and convey depth. The brushwork balances detailed rendering of armor and horses with looser treatment of distant landscape elements, creating a layered visual field that guides the viewer’s eye across the foreground drama toward the receding terrain.
History & Provenance
Attributed to Jacques Courtois, known as il Borgognone, the painting entered the collection of Munich’s Alte Pinakothek, where it remains on display. Courtois, a Franche-Comtois artist who worked in Rome and Florence, was celebrated in his lifetime as a preeminent painter of battle scenes. Later in life he entered the Jesuit order while continuing to produce artworks.
Context
The canvas reflects the mid‑17th‑century fascination with military subjects in Baroque art, a period when European courts commissioned vivid depictions of warfare to celebrate or critique martial exploits. Courtois’s experience in Italian artistic centers informed his compositional choices, blending French dynamism with Italian dramatic lighting to produce a narrative that aligns with contemporary aesthetic and cultural interests.
Artist & collection
Artist
Jacques Courtois (French pronunciation: ) or Giacomo Cortese, called il Borgognone or le Bourguignon (12 ?December 1621 – 14 November 1676) was a Franche-Comtois–Italian painter, draughtsman, and etcher.
