Sebastiaen Vrancx was a representative of the Flemish school of painting, also known as an engraver, author of poems, tragedies, and tragicomedies. He was one of the leading battle artists of his time and a pioneer of this genre in Netherlandish painting. He was born in Antwerp in 1573. He studied with Adam van Noort, who was also a mentor of such masters as Peter Paul Rubens and Jacob Jordaens. Then Vrancx continued his studies with Paul Bril in Rome. He was the dean of the Guild of St. Luke in Antwerp. Among his students was Pieter Snyers, an artist known for his panoramic images of battle scenes.
The works of Sebastiaen Vrancx reveal the influence of contemporary Italian painting and the works of Pieter Brueghel the Elder. The wars waged by Flanders during the sixteenth century contributed to the development of battle painting. Scenes of military battles, as well as attacks on peasants and hunting became popular subjects at the time. Sebastiaen Vrancx served in the Antwerp city militia, and it was probably the experience that led to his particular interest in the battle genre in painting.
The Primorye State Art Gallery houses a painting “Assault”, which was presumably made by Sebastiaen Vrancx. At the bottom in the center of the canvas, there is the monogram “SV”.
The work is painted on copper. A painting made on copper was very expensive, which in itself indicates a work of high quality. The method of oil painting on copper plates originated in the 16th century. It is found in the works of such artists as Sebastiano del Piombo and Parmigianino. Works painted in this technique are generally well preserved. In “The Lives of Famous Painters”, Giorgio Vasari wrote that del Piombo was worthy of praise for his invention, since before that the painters could not find a way to create works that “could avoid turning black and deteriorating so soon”. On the other hand, “Assault” from the gallery’s collection needed restoration due to serious damage, which suggests that the work had been affected by high temperatures.
The works of Sebastiaen Vrancx reveal the influence of contemporary Italian painting and the works of Pieter Brueghel the Elder. The wars waged by Flanders during the sixteenth century contributed to the development of battle painting. Scenes of military battles, as well as attacks on peasants and hunting became popular subjects at the time. Sebastiaen Vrancx served in the Antwerp city militia, and it was probably the experience that led to his particular interest in the battle genre in painting.
The Primorye State Art Gallery houses a painting “Assault”, which was presumably made by Sebastiaen Vrancx. At the bottom in the center of the canvas, there is the monogram “SV”.
The work is painted on copper. A painting made on copper was very expensive, which in itself indicates a work of high quality. The method of oil painting on copper plates originated in the 16th century. It is found in the works of such artists as Sebastiano del Piombo and Parmigianino. Works painted in this technique are generally well preserved. In “The Lives of Famous Painters”, Giorgio Vasari wrote that del Piombo was worthy of praise for his invention, since before that the painters could not find a way to create works that “could avoid turning black and deteriorating so soon”. On the other hand, “Assault” from the gallery’s collection needed restoration due to serious damage, which suggests that the work had been affected by high temperatures.
