De pinceau et d’épée. La peinture de bataille en Italie (XVIe-XVIIIe siècle) : vers une dissolution des formes

Abstract

On brush and sword. The battle painting in Italy (16th-18th century) : towards dissolution of forms. The representation of battles in the Roman and Tuscan Renaissance painting is dominated by the mannerist style : few naturalistic coloration, predominance of the line and contour on the effects of the atmosphere, predilection for the complexity of compositions, all of which adds the work the character of “tour de force”. With the production of Michelangelo Cerquozzi and Jacques Courtois in the 17th century, the treatment of the subject was well developed. From then on, the tumult of mixing of the horsemen has direct consequences on representation. Absorbed by the light-dark contrast, the forms of soldiers and horses become less distinct. Starting from the end of the 17th century, this tendency towards confusion accentuates with the development of a much established pictorial style. The figures lose solidity, but the act of painting gains vigor and energy to the extent that it appears to be the imitation of the act of combat.