Artwork

Cavalry Skirmish

Cavalry Skirmish, by Unknown, unspecified, 1645
Cavalry Skirmish, by Unknown, unspecified, 1645

Cavalry Skirmish is an unspecified painting by the Flemish Baroque painting artist Unknown. It dates from 1645 and is held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum.

About this work

Overview

Cavalry Skirmish is a painting depicting a chaotic battle scene between mounted soldiers. The work is attributed to an unknown artist.

Subject & Meaning

The painting shows horsemen firing pistols at each other amidst smoke and dust. A fleeing rider with a lance is visible on the right, while a hill with trees is seen on the left.

Technique & Style

The loose brushwork and dynamic action suggest a sketch or study, possibly for a larger battle scene. The blurred edges created by smoke and dust convey a sense of urgency.

Context

The painting is part of a broader tradition of depicting war in motion, as seen in other battle paintings, such as those in the Rijksmuseum's collection.

Artist & collection

Artist

Unknown

entity whose identity is not known

Rijksmuseum

Museum

Rijksmuseum

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This work is in the public domain (CC0). Image source: Rijksmuseum open access. Spotted an error in this record? Tell us.