Battle of Arsuf in Faux Tortoise Frame

41"x48.5"

This dramatic painting depicts Richard I, King of England (1157–1199), and Saladin the Muslim Sultan of Egypt (1137–1193) meeting during the Battle of Arsuf. Richard I, known as “The Lionheart,” was King from 1189 until his death in 1199. This battle occurred during the Third Crusade, on 7 September 1191, and was won by the English despite the larger and stronger Saladinian army. The battle resulted in Christian control of the central Palestinian coast, including the port of Jaffa, and has been the subject of various visual representations. The artist who made this artwork was most likely Spanish, due to the Reconquista-style depiction of the crusaders attempting to retake the holy land of Jerusalem. The painting is crafted with vibrantly coloured oil paint on canvas, complete with delicate and detailed brushstrokes. The cluster of people in the foreground of the painting replicates the energy of battle. The two rulers are mounted on horses and stand on guard opposite each other. Swirling clouds in the sky further underline the hostile nature of the encounter. The artwork is held in a painted faux tortoise frame. Harvesting, selling, or using real tortoiseshell for any purpose has been banned since the 1990s in order to preserve the endangered tortoises and to stand up for animal rights. This faux frame is durable, beautiful, and ethical, and will be an eye-catching addition to your home.

At this time in Spain, the First Carlist War occurred between 1833–1839, following the death of King Ferdinand VII (1784–1833). The monarch’s declared successor was a three-year-old girl, Queen Isabella II (1830–1904). Ferdinand’s brother, Don Carlos (1788–1855), disputed both her succession and the rules that allowed her to take the throne. This led to a civil war between the Carlists (those loyal to Carlos), and those loyal to Queen Isabella II. Although the Carlists were defeated, attempts to place Carlos’s descendants on the throne occurred during the Second and Third Carlist wars (1846–1849 and 1872–1876 respectively).