Gijsbert Verhoek-17th Ink and Wash Drawing-Cavalry Battle-Dutch Golden Age

Description

Cavalry Battle- Gijsbert Verhoek 17th Century Ink and Wash Drawing- Dutch Golden Age

A large and energetic ink and wash drawing by Gijsbert (Gysbert) Verhoek (Bodegraven 1644 – Amsterdam 1690), depicting a dramatic cavalry battle with mounted officers, advancing horsemen, fallen soldiers, and a distant fortified skyline. Verhoek studied under Adam Pijnacker and specialized in battle scenes, horses, and military marches. He was recorded by Arnold Houbraken in his account of Dutch Golden Age painters, where his particular inclination toward martial and equestrian subjects was noted. The present sheet is fully consistent with that specialization, with animated horses, lively penwork, and confident gray wash creating depth, movement, and atmosphere across the composition.

On the verso is a blue printed collection label of Prince Johann Georg, Herzog von Sachsen (1869–1938), identifiable as Lugt 4484 and inscribed I / 5572. Johann Georg was a prominent collector of old master drawings who held over 40,000 pieces. The label is glued on a piece of backing material and is taped on verso of the drawing. This label type is a documented variant within Johann Georg’s family of collection marks and is recorded on drawings and backing materials associated with the Saxon collection. UV examination shows no obvious fluorescence from the Johann Georg collection label or its attachment in the photographed areas.

The drawing is in fair condition, it was drawn on laid paper with a crowned coat of arms and Fleur-de-Lys watermark, with an additional secondary mark visible but not yet securely identified. Upper left corner was repaired. A central vertical fold is visible. The paper has minor toning, foxing, several minor stains, and handling marks and minor tears at the edges. Remnant tape mark can be found on the verso. Please refer to the pictures for condition.

Details
• Artist: Gijsbert (Gysbert) Verhoek
• Title: Cavalry Battle
• Date: 17th Century
• Medium: Ink and wash on laid paper
• Subject: Equestrian military battle scene
• Sheet Size: 26.25 × 17.5 in.
• Provenance:

Johann Georg, Herzog von Sachsen collection label, Lugt 4484, inscribed I / 5572

Rachel Davis Fine Arts

• Watermark: Crowned coat of arms with Fleur-de-Lys; secondary mark present but unidentified
• Condition Report: Fair; repaired upper left corner; central vertical fold; minor toning and foxing; several minor stains; handling marks and minor edge tears; remnant tape mark on verso; unframed