"Scene of the Knights Templar in a campaign."

French school, XIX century.
"Funeral scene of the Knights Templar".
Oil on canvas.
Measurements: 124 x 95 cm; 133 x 105 cm (frame).
In this piece an interior scene is represented in which several knights belonging to the order of the Temple are arranged around a tomb in which a companion belonging to the order is found. In the image the characters are arranged through a concave ellipsis that gives great depth to the composition despite the large number of characters portrayed by the author. Due to the stylistic characteristics, such as the primacy of line over color and a precious finish, and a neat and refined detail, the piece corresponds to the French school of the nineteenth century.

In addition, the subject matter is allusive to a historical event, which was a very common thematic resource during this period. Historicist incursions were inspired by scenes from Christian history, as in this case, scenes from mythology or classical antiquity. History painting was traditionally considered the most important genre. This preeminence was explained by a certain concept that art had to propose noble and plausible examples. Therefore, the superiority of those artistic works was defended in which what was narrated was considered elevated or noble. They are usually narrative pieces as in this case in which a scene of the Order of the Poor Companions of Christ and the Temple of Solomon, better known as Knights Templar, was one of the most powerful military orders of the Middle Ages, a fact that probably led to its dramatic dissolution.