Study of a Battle 1653

drawing

toned paper

abstract painting

ink painting

possibly oil pastel

fluid art

coffee painting

underpainting

watercolour bleed

watercolour illustration

italy

watercolor

Raffaello Vanni's "Study of a Battle" from 1653 is a captivating pen and brown wash drawing depicting a chaotic battle scene. The composition is full of dynamic movement, with figures on horseback and on foot engaged in fierce combat. The artist's meticulous attention to detail is evident in the intricate rendering of the armor, weapons, and the horses' musculature. This preparatory drawing, likely for a larger painting, showcases Vanni's skill in capturing the intensity and chaos of battle in a visually compelling way.

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minneapolisinstituteofart about 1 year ago

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Raffaello Vanni executed this brisk pen study in preparation for a large wall fresco he painted in the oratory of the Santissima Trinità and church of the Contrada of Valdimontone, in Siena. It depicts the Battle of Vouillé of 507, when King Clovis of France defeated Alaric II, King of the Visigoths of Toulouse. The legendary ancient story would have resonated in the 17th century as an image of Catholic triumph over nonbelievers. The scholars Marco Ciampolini and Alfred Moir identified the related fresco in Siena.