A Naval Battle
- Artist: Italian, Venetian
- Date: about 1580
- Medium: oil on wood
- Museum: The National Gallery
- Collection record: The National Gallery website
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About this artwork
This is the "A Naval Battle" painted in the Italian north. The artist, an Italian Venetian, has depicted a complex scene of warfare. At first glance, we see foot soldiers gathered before tents, with one soldier in blue reporting to a mounted soldier in yellow. In the middle distance, infantry are massed in battle formation, while galleys are being rowed out towards a naval battle.
Notice how the artist has included soldiers on the right hurrying into a rowing boat. The use of different colours and the repetition of gestures create a sense of movement and energy throughout the painting. It's worth noting that this is part of a series, with other paintings in private collections featuring similar scenes of warfare.
While it's not clear if these paintings represent specific historical battles, they do provide a fascinating glimpse into the military tactics and technology of the time. The artist's use of flowing lines and fluttering draperies adds to the sense of drama and movement, making this painting a compelling example of Italian Venetian art from around 1580.
See it in person
A Naval Battle hangs in The National Gallery on Trafalgar Square, London — free to enter. Point your phone at any artwork there and audioguide.london plays a free audio guide in six languages — no app download needed.
