Guardhouse with trumpeter

Oil on panel

42 x 54 cm.

In frame 55 x 67 cm.

Signature: lower left ‘f Palamedes 163..’

Authenticity: Expertise Dr. R. Colace

Provenance: Sotheby's, Amsterdam, November 14, 2006

Estimate: €8,000-12,000 - Sold: €10,000 EUR

https://www.sothebys.com/en/auctions/ecatalogue/2006/old-master-paintings-am1013/lot.76.html?locale=....

The scene depicted in this painting is part of a pictorial subject that was very popular during the golden age of Flemish art. In Dutch inventories, it is referred to as Kortegaertges, from the French term corps de garde, meaning guard corps. These are lively, picturesque scenes of soldiers and city guards immortalized in their daily activities.

In this case, the work is a wonderful composition attributed to Anthonie Palamedesz (Delft 1601 - Amsterdam 1673), signed and accompanied by a study by art historian Raffaella Colace, further confirming this attribution.

Unlike depictions of this kind by contemporary artists, Palamedesz's paintings are always imbued with great elegance. They do not depict camp followers and prostitutes, but elegant women, probably officers' wives, with the children they care for.

In our beautiful painting, where two soldiers are immortalized in a moment of contemplation and rest, the first is seated with his baton in his hand, waiting for a servant to bring him his drum, while the other, standing, is already busy playing a trumpet.

It should be remembered that in the Netherlands in the 17th century, armies used trumpeters (trompetter) and drummers (trommelslagers) for their military music, to provide rhythm during marches, signals, and announcements, and they therefore played a fundamental role in military tradition.

In representations such as this, educational themes can also be identified: soldiers depicted at rest often engage in pastimes associated with moral weakness, such as playing cards, smoking, and drinking wine.

Palamedesz makes a change to this standard, specifically adding another key figure to the message of the painting: a woman holding a child. He was the only painter to depict women in this type of representation as mothers rather than as women of easy virtue.

The painter thus sought to contrast the figures of the soldier-warrior, the archetype of the male world, with the female archetype personified by the mother. The worlds of war and peace also intersect in his works: the trumpeter calling to military duty is a figure of Mars, while the unsuspecting woman caring for her child is a figure of Venus, who tames him.

Anthonie Palamedesz addressed this theme countless times and in many variations, some of which are now in the most prestigious international collections. Our painting can be compared, especially in terms of its subject matter, with the painting in the National Museum in Krakow, Poland (inv. no. DMNKCz 122) (link: https://rkd.nl/images/211456).

In particular, the figure of the soldier playing the trumpet is almost a signature element of his works, which we find replicated on numerous occasions. Among these, for example, is the painting entitled ‘Interior of a guard room with an officer playing the trumpet in front of a mother and child’ (Christie's, London, April 28, 2006, Lot 49, oil on panel, 46.7 x 62.9 cm), which features the same player (https://www.christies.com/en/lot/lot-4697167?ldp_breadcrumb=back).

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

The images were taken using a professional photographic set and lighting. If not adequately lit, the painting may appear slightly darker.

The work is sold complete with a beautiful antique frame and comes with a certificate of authenticity and a descriptive iconographic card.

We take care of and organize the transport of purchased works, both in Italy and abroad, through professional and insured carriers.

It is also possible to view the painting in our gallery in Riva del Garda. We would be delighted to welcome you and show you our collection of works.

Please contact us, without obligation, for any additional information.

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