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This is a drawing of a battle scene. The drawing depicts figures engaged in combat, including warriors on foot and horseback. The composition shows movement and energy, with figures wielding weapons like spears and shields, and horses in mid-gallop. A blue wash adds depth and contrast to the monochrome sketch, highlighting the musculature of the figures and animals. The scene is set on an elevated platform or bridge, with figures falling or tumbling over the edge, adding drama and action to the artwork.
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This is a drawing of a battle scene. The drawing depicts figures engaged in combat, including warriors on foot and horseback. The composition shows movement and energy, with figures wielding weapons like spears and shields, and horses in mid-gallop. A blue wash adds depth and contrast to the monochrome sketch, highlighting the musculature of the figures and animals. The scene is set on an elevated platform or bridge, with figures falling or tumbling over the edge, adding drama and action to the artwork.

National Gallery of Art · Drawing

A Battle on a Bridge

Giovanni Balducci

Date
c.1600
Medium
pen and brown ink with blue wash over black chalk, squared for transfer in black chalk, on laid paper
Dimensions
sheet: 26.7 x 39.2 cm (10 1/2 x 15 7/16 in.)
Classification
Drawing
Accession number
2010.93.17
Credit line
Joseph F. McCrindle Collection
Time span
1551 to 1600
Department
CG-E
Original NGA record Wikidata

Subjects and terms

  • Italian
  • Bridge
  • Battle
  • Horse
  • Costume
  • Figures
Provenance

(Sotheby's, London, 1 July 1936, part of lot 95 [as Bellisario Corenzio]); Sir Robert Witt [1872-1952], London; Anthony Blunt [1907-1983], London; (Brian Sewell, London, 1968); Joseph F. McCrindle [1923-2008], New York; bequest to NGA, 2008.

Inscription

by a later hand, lower left in graphite: 2789J

Watermarks

fleur de lys atop three hills in circle with the initial M on top (Briquet 11933 and 11937)

NGA object ID 131301. Collection metadata is reproduced under CC0. This work is included because its NGA published-image record is marked open access; visitors should recheck the source record before substantial reuse.