Two Standing Soldiers and Six other Figures 1615 - 1673

Editor: Right, next up we have “Two Standing Soldiers and Six other Figures,” a pen and brown ink drawing by Salvator Rosa, made sometime between 1615 and 1673. It’s hard to tell exactly what’s going on but the figures look rather frantic, don't they? There's a real sense of immediacy to it, as though Rosa just captured them on the spot. What do you make of it? Curator: Oh, Rosa! A tempestuous soul, as you can probably gather. The drama is cranked up to eleven, isn’t it? I’d guess this is a preparatory sketch. He wasn't aiming for polished perfection but something more akin to capturing lightning in a bottle: the raw energy of conflict. Do you get that sense too? That something pivotal is happening? Editor: Yes, that makes a lot of sense, especially given the period it was made. It also brings out the story, in a way. Are those vertical lines in the background meant to signify, like, a battle scene of some kind? Curator: Perhaps, but those rapid pen strokes could be anything, right? Maybe rainfall, or just artistic shorthand. The ink is so vibrant, though! Look how he uses light and shadow with so few lines! Rosa’s always whispering, “Less is more!”, even if his subjects are pure chaos. A little like life itself. Editor: Definitely feels more vibrant seeing all that up close. It makes the piece way less opaque. Curator: Indeed! And sometimes the quickest sketches teach us the longest lessons. Editor: Great way to put it! Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts!