Knights in reconnaissance the moment before the battle

Work attributable to Christian Reder known as Monsù Leandro (Leipzig 1656-Rome 1729)

oil on canvas
cm. 49 x 42
framed cm. 58 x 50

The canvas can be inserted in the production of Christian Reder, known in Italy as Monsù Leandro. After a period of apprenticeship in Hamburg, he was first in London, then for a couple of years in Venice and finally, from 1686, he settled permanently in Rome, where he spent the rest of his life with considerable success, often collaborating with the friend Peter van Bloemen.

The painting presented, which represents a typical example of his painting, shows us a soldier on horseback, who seems to give directives to some armigers in the moments preceding the clash.

Its production mainly counts landscapes and battle scenes, represented with vigorous realism thanks to youthful military experiences fighting the Turks in the German militias.

In-depth bibliography: G. Sestieri, 'The Battle Painters', Rome 1999, p. 406-419.

The canvas is in excellent condition.