BEAUTY, SEDUCTION AND SHARING
Artworks from Gaudium Magnum Foundation – Maria and João Cortez de Lobão
The Battle between Alexander and Porus at the River Hydaspes, by Nicolaes Pietersz Berchem
Nicolaes Pietersz Berchem, born in Haarlem in 1621/1622, was the son of a still life painter, Pieter Claesz, with whom he trained but whose path he did not follow. At the start of his career, he successfully practised the genre scene and helped popularise the bambocciata style. He devoted himself to bucolic landscapes of Italian inspiration, creating port scenes and landscapes, with elegant figures in compositions of fantastical architectures. He also made paintings of hunting, horses and battles.
This painting depicts the battle fought next to the river Hydaspes, between Alexander the Great and king Porus. Unique in the artist’s production and indeed Dutch painting as a whole, it reveals the enduring fascination with Alexander over a long period, made even more appealing through reference to classical culture and the exotic climes evoked by Alexander’s campaigns in India.
Without knowing the original provenance – the first documentary reference dates from 1766 – the theme and size, and the heroic style, suggest that it was commissioned by William III, Prince of Orange, named Stadtholder of the Dutch Republic in 1672. His victories against the powerful armies of France and England made him, in the eyes of his contemporaries, a new Alexander, worthy of celebration through one of the most prominent Dutch artists of the last quarter of the seventeenth century.
Opening
Tuesday, 20 February, 18h
Nicolaes Pietersz Berchem
(Haarlem, 1621/1622 – Amsterdam, 1683)
The Battle between Alexander and Porus at the River Hydaspes
Signed on the lower right-hand corner: “N. Berchem”
c. 1670-1675
Oil on canvas
111 × 154 cm
Gaudium Magnum Foundation – Maria and Joa?o Cortez de Loba?o
(photo @ Jorge Simão)
EXHIBITION BOOKLET
About the Gaudium Magnum Foundation
The Gaudium Magnum Foundation – Maria and João Cortez de Lobão Art Collection - was created in 2018. Its mission is the enhancement of Portugal - its culture and its people - and the Portuguese language. The Gaudium Magnum Foundation aims to be an institution open to the world, promotes the Common Good, and contributes to a fairer society in the light of Christian values and the mission of Portugal in the world. To pursue these goals, it bases its action on four fundamental areas: Culture, Education, Charity, and Research. Regarding the Cultural Area, the Foundation’s art collection gathers a valuable set of works of art, mainly by Old Masters, with a significant component of Portuguese artists.
Website: https://www.gaudiummagnum.org/
Artworks from Gaudium Magnum Foundation – Maria and João Cortez de Lobão
The Battle between Alexander and Porus at the River Hydaspes, by Nicolaes Pietersz Berchem
Nicolaes Pietersz Berchem, born in Haarlem in 1621/1622, was the son of a still life painter, Pieter Claesz, with whom he trained but whose path he did not follow. At the start of his career, he successfully practised the genre scene and helped popularise the bambocciata style. He devoted himself to bucolic landscapes of Italian inspiration, creating port scenes and landscapes, with elegant figures in compositions of fantastical architectures. He also made paintings of hunting, horses and battles.
This painting depicts the battle fought next to the river Hydaspes, between Alexander the Great and king Porus. Unique in the artist’s production and indeed Dutch painting as a whole, it reveals the enduring fascination with Alexander over a long period, made even more appealing through reference to classical culture and the exotic climes evoked by Alexander’s campaigns in India.
Without knowing the original provenance – the first documentary reference dates from 1766 – the theme and size, and the heroic style, suggest that it was commissioned by William III, Prince of Orange, named Stadtholder of the Dutch Republic in 1672. His victories against the powerful armies of France and England made him, in the eyes of his contemporaries, a new Alexander, worthy of celebration through one of the most prominent Dutch artists of the last quarter of the seventeenth century.
Opening
Tuesday, 20 February, 18h
Nicolaes Pietersz Berchem
(Haarlem, 1621/1622 – Amsterdam, 1683)
The Battle between Alexander and Porus at the River Hydaspes
Signed on the lower right-hand corner: “N. Berchem”
c. 1670-1675
Oil on canvas
111 × 154 cm
Gaudium Magnum Foundation – Maria and Joa?o Cortez de Loba?o
(photo @ Jorge Simão)
EXHIBITION BOOKLET
About the Gaudium Magnum Foundation
The Gaudium Magnum Foundation – Maria and João Cortez de Lobão Art Collection - was created in 2018. Its mission is the enhancement of Portugal - its culture and its people - and the Portuguese language. The Gaudium Magnum Foundation aims to be an institution open to the world, promotes the Common Good, and contributes to a fairer society in the light of Christian values and the mission of Portugal in the world. To pursue these goals, it bases its action on four fundamental areas: Culture, Education, Charity, and Research. Regarding the Cultural Area, the Foundation’s art collection gathers a valuable set of works of art, mainly by Old Masters, with a significant component of Portuguese artists.
Website: https://www.gaudiummagnum.org/