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| Title | Battle Piece | |
| Alternative Title | Pitched Battle | |
| Collection | Cheltenham Art Gallery & Museum | |
| Artist | Attributed to Calza, Antonio (Italian painter, 1653-1725) Previously attributed to Courtois, Jacques (French painter and printmaker, 1621-1676, active in Italy) Previously attributed to Parrocel, Pierre (French painter and printmaker, 1670-1739) Previously attributed to Rosa, Salvator (Italian painter and engraver, 1615-1673) Previously attributed to Wouwerman, Philips (Dutch painter, 1619-1668) |
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| Date Earliest | possibly about 1650 | |
| Date Latest | possibly about 1700 | |
| Description | This fantastical Roman skirmish is one of a pair of battle paintings by the same artist. Their attribution has changed a number of times between different artists known for their cavalry scenes, all of them active during the mid to late seventeenth century. The size of the canvas, the Roman subject and the opportunistic insertion of classically-styled male nudes suggest a predominantly Italian influence. Aspects of the painting are comparable to the differing styles of Rosa and Courtois. It is possible that both influences were implemented by the latter's pupil, Antonio Calza, whose works are often hard to identify with certainty. | |
| Current Accession Number | 1956:92 | |
| Former Accession Number | No. 668; No. 1014 | |
| Subject | military and war; animal (horse); figure | |
| Measurements | 65.6 x 98.4 cm cm (estimate) | |
| Material | oil on canvas | |
| Acquisition Details | Given by Guy Whinyates 1956. | |
| Provenance | Whinyates collection by 1940. | |
| Publications | Wright, C., Old Master Paintings in Britain, London, 1976, p. 175, as a single painting attributed to Salvator Rosa; Wright, C., Cheltenham Art Gallery and Museums, Baron de Ferrieres Collection: Catalogue of Foreign Paintings from the De Ferrieres Collection and Other Sources, Cheltenham, 1988, p. 107. | |
| Notes | Back of stretcher: label handwritten in thick black ink, 'Battle Scene By Wouwermans'; another label, 'WHINYATES COLL.N / SEPT. 26 1945'; in chalk, 'LAN'[upside-down] 'URGENT'. Pendant to Battle Scene (1956: 92). A plaque on the frame of the painting states 'Italian School (attributed to Salvatore [sic] Rosa)'. The mounts in the Witt Library, London, record previous attribution to Pierre Parrocel. Correspondence with National Gallery, London, 28 January 1975, negates Rosa attribution and instead attributes it to Courtois. Attribution to Calza made by Professor Giuliano Briganti from photographs. Wright 1988 agrees. Listed in Andrews, G., Cheltenham Art Gallery and Museum Service: Fine Art Collection: Checklist Catalogue, 1979, cat. no. 668, as Italian School and cat. no. 1014 as attributed to Salvator Rosa. Guy Whinyates, Winsley, Buckfast, Devon. |
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| Rights Owner | Cheltenham Art Gallery & Museums | |
| Author | Dr Anne L. Cowe | |