Flemish school, 17th century.

Flemish school, 17th century.
"Battle of Nieuwpoort", ca. 1640-50's.
Oil on canvas.
Relined.
Period frame.
Measurements: 62 x 75 cm; 82 x 96 cm (frame).

We are before a painting of battle of great compositional power and scenographic power. The armies gallop in rows that fray and branch. In this way, the groups advance diagonally, occupying different levels of depth. In the foreground, soldiers wearing helmets and protected with armor ride muscular horses. They arrive by sea and succumb to the enemy: some sink in the water, others are pierced by sabers or shot by firearms. Each rider is a painting in itself (metallic lights model the foreshortenings with great expressive force) and, in turn, the whole composes a highly dynamic and atmospheric scene, set in a sublime setting. The dust merges with the sea mist. Despite capturing a historical event, a dreamlike patina envelops it. The foam of the waves lapping against the shore enhances the energetic movement of the mounted infantry. It is likely that it is depicting "The Battle of Nieuwpoort" (1600), a key confrontation in the Eighty Years' War, where the Dutch forces, led by Maurice of Nassau, defeated the Spanish troops on the beach near Nieuwpoort. This city would be marked here by the houses that stand out in the distance, between blue mists. On the horizon, under a limpid sky, the naval infantry is still arriving, which shows the magnitude of this war. It is possible to relate this magnificent painting to the one made by Sebastian Vrancx (Antwerp, 1573-1647) of the battle of Nieuwpoort, a painting dating from 1640, currently preserved in the Museum of Fine Arts of Seville.