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Battle of Horsemen and Foot Soldiers

Attributed to Guglielmo della Porta Italian
mid-16th century
Not on view
In this dynamic study of a battle scene, the dense fabric of overlapping figures and the energetic penwork contribute to the chaotic action. The complex interweaving of soldiers and animals recalls classical reliefs, which were a significant source of inspiration for Renaissance artists. The style of the drawing suggests an artist in the circle of Perino del Vaga (Italian, Florence 1501–1547). A likely candidate is the sculptor and stucco designer, Guglielmo della Porta, who worked as Perino’s assistant in Genoa and Rome, and whose sculpted reliefs depicting mythological subjects are on view in the Museum (gallery 536).

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Battle of Horsemen and Foot Soldiers
  • Artist: Attributed to Guglielmo della Porta (Italian, Porlezza, near Lake Lugano ca. 1500–1577 Rome)
  • Date: mid-16th century
  • Medium: Pen and dark and light brown ink.
  • Dimensions: 8 1/8 x 12 3/8 in. (20.7 x 31.5 cm)
  • Classification: Drawings
  • Credit Line: Robert Lehman Collection, 1975
  • Object Number: 1975.1.546
  • Curatorial Department: The Robert Lehman Collection

More Artwork

More Artwork
Banquet of the Gods, Guglielmo della Porta Italian, Gold, lapis lazuli, carnelian, Italian, Rome
Banquet of the Gods
Designer Guglielmo della Porta
Probably cast by Antonio Gentili (Antonio da Faenza)
after 1585
Lobster-Tail Burgonet, Steel, leather, gold, North Italian
Lobster-Tail Burgonet
North Italian
ca. 1610
Design for a Wall Monument, Francesco di Giorgio Martini Italian, Pen and brown ink, brush and brown wash, blue gouache, on vellum
Design for a Wall Monument
Francesco di Giorgio Martini
ca. 1490
Mars and Venus Trapped by Vulcan, Guglielmo della Porta Italian, Gilt bronze, Italian
Mars and Venus Trapped by Vulcan
After Guglielmo della Porta
late 16th century
Sallet in the Shape of a Lion's Head, Steel, copper, gold, glass, pigment, textile, Italian
Sallet in the Shape of a Lion's Head
Italian
ca. 1475–80

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