Battle Between Romans and Barbarians

The painting "Battle Between Romans and Barbarians" was initially attributed to an unknown artist when the Gallery received it. Later, it was attributed to Polidoro da Caravaggio. However, the authorship was eventually established to be that of Marco Antonio Bassetti based on analogies in his Royal Collection of Windsor sketches. Such monochrome compositions on ancient history and mythology themes, executed in oil on paper, were not merely preparatory sketches – contemporaries interpreted them as independent works. Bassetti primarily painted such pictures during the winter, and they were popular among foreigners travelling to Verona. The "Battle Between Romans and Barbarians" artwork was created using the grisaille technique, common in the late sixteenth-century Venetian School. The painting depicts a large group of warriors during the battle. The foreground portrays duels, while the centre showcases four camps. In the background, there are warriors with spears. Using colour and shading creates an effect of relief painting in an ancient style.

Borys Voznytskyi Lviv National Art Gallery