MARTSZEN, Jan the Younger
(b. ca. 1609, Haarlem, d. after 1647, Haarlem)

Battle Scene

1630-36
Oil on oak panel, 32 x 43 cm
Victoria and Albert Museum, London

The painting shows a battle scene presented as warfare rather than proper combat. A lone tree in the foreground is used as a repoussoir device so as to draw the attention on the riding soldier, about to join the tangle of soldiers fighting in the background, as well as to provide the picture with a stronger sense of depth.