Oil on canvas, relined
Italy, 17th century
Circle of Cornelis de Wael (1592-1662) – Flemish genre and history painter, active in Genoa, Italy
Dimensions: 93 x 145.5 cm
Good condition
Provenance: Private collection, Rome
Finely executed and detailed battle scene with opulent figural scene in a classical landscape

This large painting was painted by an artist from the circle of Cornelis de Wael. It depicts a battle scene with armies of soldiers before a besieged city. The center of the image shows an execution staged under a dramatic cloudy sky, in the lower right men play dice to bargain for their lives. The individual figures are drawn in a fine manner, their armor highlighted in bold colors.

Born in Antwerp, Cornelis de Wael was active in Genoa from 1613 to 1956, where he ran a flourishing workshop. He became famous for his harbor and coastal scenes but also painted several battle scenes of this kind, whereby he usually executed the figures whilst his brother Lucas painted the landscapes. The brothers de Wael trained many artists, even young Anthony van Dyck worked in their workshop during his stay in Genoa.

The painting is overall in appealing condition. It has been professionally restored. The canvas is relined. There is fine craquelure and retouchings to the sky and background as well as the figures. The frame shows some wear. The framed work measures, the stretcher frame measures 93 x 145.5 cm.

Cornelis de Wael (1592-1662)

Cornelis de Wael was born into a Flemish family of artists. Together with his brother, who was also a painter, he moved to Italy in 1619, where both settled in Genoa. The brothers’ studio soon became a meeting point for Flemish artists travelling through Genoa. Thus also Anthony van Dyck visited the workshop during his travels. The latter painted a double portrait of the brothers in 1627. In Rome Cornelis made the acquaintance with the artist group ‘Bentvueghels’ and became a member of the prestigious Accademia di San Luca. In 1656 he settled permanently in Rome. During his life time his works were in great demand and his patrons included members of the Genoese government, the Spanish King Philip III and Philip-Charles Count of Aarschot. De Wael created a multifaceted oeuvre of paintings, engravings and drawings in which he depicted genre scenes in the style of the Bamboccianti, religious themes and battle scenes. Painting by the artist are for instance held in the Hermitage in St. Petersburg, the Museo de Bellas Artes in Bilbao and the Courtauld Institute of Art in London.

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