Cavalry Engagement

1635 · Private collection

historical

This signed and dated painting is an early work that already reveals the mastership of the young Asselyn, who is rightly considered one of the most important landscapists active during the first half of the 17th century. The natural environment and the topographical situation are suppressed here in favour of the battle scene. Asselyn assigns to the spectator the role of an eyewitness amidst the Netherlandish Wars of Independence.

About the Artist

Jan Asselyn

1610 – 1652

Dutch Italianate landscape painter (also spelled Asselijn). According to the Amsterdam burgher book of 1652, Asselyn came from 'Diepen', which can be interpreted as either the village Diemen, near Amsterdam or the French town of Dieppe in northern France. He was probably a pupil of Esaias van de Velde but his style was formed on the Arcadian landscapes of Claude, and on the Roman Campagna: hence his work resembles that of Berchem, Both and Dujardin. He spent about ten years in Italy c.1634-44. He specialized in real and imaginary scenes of the Roman Campagna, his most famous painting, however, is not a landscape, but The Threatened Swan (Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam), an unusual work - showing a bird defending its nest against a dog - that is said to be an allegory of Dutch nationalism. Rembrandt, who was Asselyn's friend etched his portrait. Because of a crippled hand he was nicknamed 'Crabbetje' (Little Crab)

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