Artwork
The Generosity of Scipio
The Generosity of Scipio is a paint painting by the Dutch Golden Age artist Gerrit Willemsz Horst. It dates from 1641 and is held in the collection of the Gemäldegalerie Berlin.
About this work
Overview
Gerrit Willemsz Horst, a Dutch painter active during the Golden Age, completed The Generosity of Scipio in 1641. Executed in oil on canvas, the work is now housed in the Gemäldegalerie in Berlin. It presents a dramatic tableau that reflects the artist’s training under Rembrandt and his engagement with contemporary narrative painting.
Subject & Meaning
The composition portrays a moment from the legend of the Roman general Scipio Africanus, known for his magnanimity toward a defeated foe. Central to the scene is a woman in a white dress, surrounded by armed men, while a fallen figure lies on the ground, suggesting a moment of negotiation or clemency amid conflict.
Technique & Style
Horst employs a strong chiaroscuro, contrasting the luminous white garment with the darker surrounding figures to model form and create depth. The palette is restrained, emphasizing tonal variations over bright colors, while the arrangement of figures and objects generates a sense of tension and movement typical of mid‑17th‑century Dutch narrative art.
History & Provenance
Born in Muiden in 1612, Horst apprenticed with Antonie Hendricksz Lust before joining Rembrandt’s workshop between 1635 and 1640. The Generosity of Scipio emerged shortly after this period, reflecting the influence of his master. The painting entered the Berlin Gemäldegalerie collection in the 20th century, where it remains on display.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Gerrit Willemsz Horst (1612–1652) was a Dutch Golden Age painter from the Dutch Republic.
Die Enthaltsamkeit des Scipio (Kopie nach)
Enthaltsamkeit des Scipio
Christ and the woman taken in adultery (John 8:2-11)
Company Making Music and Dancing on a Terrace
Company Making Music and Dancing on a Terrace
Familie des Darius
Company of an officer, soldiers and young women in a guardroom
Boas and Ruth
Der Kriegerstand (zugeschrieben)
Guard-Room
Belshazzar's Vision- The Magnanimity of Scipio Africanus