Oil on canvas, mounted on panel, 82 × 104 cm
The two counterparts show two battles in the Great Turkish War, the Battle of Vienna from 1683 and the Battle of Párkány from 1683. Both images have tapes with captions in Spanish
The two counterparts depict significant battles from the Great Turkish War: the Battle of Vienna in 1683 and the Battle of Párkány in the same year. Each image features accompanying captions in Spanish.
“EL SITIO Y LIBERACION DE LA CIVIDAD DE VIENNA” (The Siege and Liberation of the City of Vienna):
On September 12, 1683, during the historic Battle of Vienna, an army under the command of the Polish King John III Sobieski decisively defeated the Ottoman forces, liberating the city from siege. The focal point of the composition captures a dramatic duel between a Christian and a Turkish rider, presumed to symbolize the respective military leaders, King Sobieski and Grand Vizier Kara Mustafa Pasha.
Advancing infantrymen are depicted beneath the flags of the Holy Roman Empire, featuring the iconic black, double-headed eagle on a yellow background. Notably, their uniforms reflect the attire of the 18th century, the period of the painting's creation, rather than the era of the battle itself.
Along the left edge of the picture, a rider with an ermine collar engages in combat with a Turkish rider. Among the horses, a fallen Turkish soldier tries to escape further danger. This particular scene bears resemblance to a painting by Gonzales Franciscus Casteels (died after 1709) in the Palace Museum in Wilanów with the Battle of Vienna, However, notable adjustments have been made to the posture of the Turkish rider in the present picture.
In the foreground are visible Turkish weapons and drums, as a symbol of the defeat suffered by the Ottoman army. In the background, the panorama of Vienna emerges, with the towering presence of St. Stephen's Cathedral dominating the skyline. In front of the city are the entrenchments and trenches utilized during the siege of the city.
“EL SITIO Y CONQVISTA DE LA CIVIDAD DE GRAN” (The Siege and Conquest of the City of Gran):
Following the Battle of Vienna in 1683, Gran (Esztergom) fell under the control of the imperial army within the same year. The decisive battle took place at the Párkány fortress situated on the opposite bank of the Danube River. Led by John Sobieski and Charles of Lorraine, the combined forces of the Holy Roman Empire and Poland inflicted a decisive defeat upon the Ottoman army.
In the picture, the imperial army advances from the left, swiftly overwhelming Ottoman positions with cannons positioned on the right of the scene. The composition's central axis is
The central axis of the composition is defined by the rider a rider atop a white horse in red uniform with fallen Turkish soldier lying on the ground. Speculatively, the former figure may represent Charles of Lorraine, while the armored rider further to the right could symbolize Polish King Sobieski.
Within the left portion of the composition, the fleeing Ottoman army is displayed, as well as discarded Turkish flags, weaponry, a drum, and a turban all over the terrain.
The background reveals the panoramic vista of Párkány and Gran/Esztergom on the opposite bank of the Danube. For topographical reference, the painter likely used an engraving by Justus van den Nypoort from 1694, although replaced the battle depicted there with a more dynamic composition.
Oil on canvas, mounted on panel, 82 × 104 cm
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