TOURNIER, Nicolas
(b. 1590, Montbéliard, d. ca. 1638, Toulouse)

The Guard Room

1620-22
Oil on canvas, 169 x 239 cm
Gemäldegalerie, Dresden

This painting, one of the most important and complex by Nicolas Tournier, was executed during the French artist's Roman period. However, there was a heated debate on whether it is attributable to Tournier or Bartolomeo Manfredi. Since the 170s, the attribution to Tournier seems to be accepted.

In the present painting Tournier created a detached and elegant genre scene, far removed from Manfredi's emotional involvement in his direct and somewhat rustic scenes. It revolves around the beautiful pagan altar that serves as a gaming table, the true focus of the composition.




© Web Gallery of Art, created by Emil Krén and Daniel Marx.