Italian Landscape with two Roman Soldiers

About this artwork

Gerard de Lairesse's *Italian Landscape with Two Roman Soldiers* (c. 1687) is a grand oil on canvas measuring nearly three meters tall, exemplifying the Dutch Golden Age's fusion of landscape and classical history painting. Born in Liège and active in Amsterdam, Lairesse was a key figure in late 17th-century Dutch art, blending French classicism with Italianate ideals. His elegant, poised figures and luminous landscapes reflect his advocacy for the "grand manner"—a refined style emphasizing harmony, proportion, and noble themes, as outlined in his influential treatise *Het Groot Schilderboek* (1707). The painting depicts an expansive, idealized Italian vista teeming with ruins, foliage, and distant mountains, animated by two Roman soldiers in conversation. This juxtaposition evokes the grandeur of antiquity, a popular motif during the Baroque era when artists drew inspiration from ancient Rome to elevate everyday scenes. Lairesse's masterful use of oil allowed for rich impasto textures, atmospheric depth, and glowing light effects, creating a sense of timeless serenity. Housed in the Rijksmuseum, this monumental work (weighing 51 kg) underscores Lairesse's role in bridging Northern European realism with Southern European classicism, offering visitors a window into 17th-century dreams of imperial splendor and artistic ambition.