Diptych After Salvator Rosa

It is a diptych made up of two finely embossed brass representations, based on works by the Neapolitan painter and engraver Salvator Rosa (1615-1673) who was known for his depictions of battle scenes.
The "Free-time during  Peace" represent 3 Lansquenets in 16th century costume, happily seated in the company of young women, one of whom gravely pours wine for the character on the left.
The warrior in the center has put his arm around the waist of his companion who seems to want to move away from him...
On the right of the scene, a guard carelessly leaning on his halberd is obviously trying to seduce a puzzled young girl, stopped in the doorway that the soldier is guarding.
It may be noted that none of the young girls have a particularly comely attitude, so the hidden message of the painting is probably a veiled criticism of the attitude of the soldiery in the occupied towns.
In the background, we can see an urban landscape with a 16th century castle and tall houses at the end of a square place.
The " Free-time during War " " shows four lansquenets gathered around a war drum, on which they play a game of dice, the scene taking place in a room with exposed beams and pointed windows inside a castle. .
The central person, older and mustachioed, is clearly a non-commissioned officer with a long service period behind him.
We understand that the warriors' moment of relaxation can be interrupted at any moment, since two of them have kept their helmets on their heads, while the other two have placed them on the top of a piece of furniture, on the right of the painting.
Against the right wall are leaning the 4 spears and halberds of the soldiers, under a shelf where rests a pitcher of wine and goblets.
The last figure in this scene is a soldier on the left who stands guard seriously. This time there is no longer a beautiful young girl to seduce, but a watch post to hold.
These two paintings are an evocation of the companies of the Renaissance, and although their realization dates from the 19th century, they can perfectly fit into a decoration related to the Haute-Epoque, or in a library where they will harmonize with the old leathers and the golds of the bindings….
Each painting is attached to a black cardboard frame, with a small hook for hanging it.
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