Date

1800-1899

Object Type

Drawing

Subject

Battle scene

Holding institution

Accademia di Carrara

About The Work

"La Disfida di Barletta." Pencil and charcoal on paper. A typical example of a historical scene widespread during the Risorgimento period, with didactic and narrative intentions. The famous duel between Spanish and French knights over possession of the "Capitanata." The graphic composition illustrates the culminating details of the episode at the moment when the Italian knights, aligned with the Spanish, confront the French ranks. "Brancaleone" unhorses "Gragliano d'Asti" while "Ettore Fieramosca" leaps from the saddle onto "La Motte." The work, similar to a "grisaille," constitutes the cartoon for a canvas of roughly analogous dimensions, purchased by the Grand Duchess of Tuscany Maria Antonietta of Bourbon, now lost. The large drawing, donated to the Academy of Carrara in 1931 by Giovanni Conti, the painter’s son, can be connected to the anatomical studies of horses preserved in the Carrara institution, particularly to the oil-on-paper sketch referable to the horse lying on the ground.

Title

Disfida di Barletta

Creator

Conti Giacomo

Subject

Battle scene

Object Type

Drawing

Original Function

Donazione. Collezione Conti.

Date

1800-1899

Technique / Support

Charcoal

Dimensions

cm 155 x 265

Holding institution

Accademia di Carrara

Bibliography

LAGHI A. V., La pinacoteca dell'Accademia di Belle Arti di Carrara, Martellago (VE), 2002.

Conservation status

Good

Unique identifier

0900390230