Artwork
The Battle of Montemurlo
The Battle of Montemurlo is an oil painting by the Mannerist artist Battista Franco. It dates from 1537 and is held in the collection of the Uffizi Gallery.
About this work
Overview
The Battle of Montemurlo is a 1537 oil painting by Battista Franco Veneziano, a Venetian-born artist known for his work in Rome, Urbino, and Venice.
Subject & Meaning
The painting depicts a chaotic battle scene, with figures on horseback and on foot, set against a backdrop of green hills and blue sky. A winged figure in a dark cloak hovers above, observing the conflict. The scene is juxtaposed with a mythological reference, as evidenced by the presence of Ganymede.
Technique & Style
Executed in oil paint, the work is characteristic of the Mannerist style, with stylized figures and a complex composition. The artist's use of bright colors, including reds, blues, and yellows, adds to the dynamic scene.
History & Provenance
The painting is now held in the Uffizi Gallery, having been created during the mid-16th century, a period when Franco was active in various Italian cities.
Own this work as a print
Artist & collection
Artist
Battista Franco Veneziano (c. 1510 - 1561), baptized Giovanni Battista Franco, was an Italian Mannerist painter and printmaker in etching active in Rome, Urbino, and Venice in the mid 16th century. He is also known as…
