Study of Two Soldiers Swordfighting
Adam Frans van der Meulen Flemish
Not on view
Van der Meulen was active mostly in France, where he served as a court painter to King Louis XIV and specialized in historical and military scenes. This drawing of two soldiers in a sword fight reflects the artist’s fascination with battle themes; instead of confronting one another, however, the two men seem to be battling an external opponent located beyond the frame. The format and cropping enhance the sense of fleeting action: the soldier on the left appears to be caught entering the scene while the one on the right has started to leave it. The application of black and white chalk is swift and free—echoing the fast movement of sword fighting—with only a few marks for facial expressions and a focus on bodily gestures.
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