Nicolaas van Eyck

(Anversa, 1617 - Anversa, 1679)

The painting bears the signature in the bottom centre on the tree trunk: "NICOLAAS VAN EYCK".

Nicolaas Van Eyck was a pupil of Theodor Rombouts in Antwerp from 1632. He had considerable fame and consideration during his lifetime as a specialist in battles, including urban ones, equestrian scenes, civil processions and village feasts. His virtues as a specialist in mass scenes and clashes between armies shine through in this bloody and agitated battle, in which two lines of arquebusiers face each other close with impressive realism.