Artwork
Battle-piece
Battle-piece is an oil painting by the Dutch Golden Age artist Jasper Broers. It dates from 1709 and is held in the collection of the Fitzwilliam Museum.
About this work
Overview
Battle-piece is a 1709 oil painting by Jasper Broers, a Flemish artist known for his landscapes and allegorical works. It is a history painting characteristic of the Dutch Golden Age tradition.
Subject & Meaning
The painting depicts a chaotic battle scene with numerous figures in combat, conveying a sense of energy and turmoil. The foreground features bodies on the ground and fighters clashing, while the background is a less detailed landscape.
Technique & Style
Broers used oil paint to create a dynamic atmosphere, emphasizing the clash of weapons and movement of fighters. The painting employs chiaroscuro, a technique that creates strong contrasts between light and dark, adding to the intensity of the scene.
History & Provenance
Created in 1709, Battle-piece is part of the Fitzwilliam Museum's collection. Broers was a leading battle painter in Flanders during the early 18th century.
Artist & collection
Artist
Jasper Broers (Antwerp, 21 April 1682 – Antwerp, 1716) was a Flemish painter. He is known for his landscapes and allegorical compositions and was a leading battle painter in Flanders in the first two decades of the 18th century.
