MARZIO MASTURZIO (active in Naples and Rome around the mid-17th century) Battle Oil on canvas, cm 53.5X96 Marzio Masturzio is an emblematic case in terms of the scant biographical information contrasting with a rich catalogue expressing a rare qualitative coherence. The pages dedicated to him by De Dominici are merged with the life of Salvator Rosa, whose pupil, friend and skilful imitator he was, but the analysis of the autograph works highlights suggestions inferred from Aniello Falcone. It is De Dominici who documents Masturzio's apprenticeship in Aniello's workshop before moving to Rome with Rosa, and the canvas under examination documents the artist's further evolution in contact with Capitoline culture. This is why we place the painting in its mature phase, due to the classical citations of the scenography and the concise description in Baroque style, emulating the creations of Jacques Courtois known as Borgognone. From the French comes the description of the combat in the foreground, where the bitter fight thickens clots of smoke and dust with intense realistic intonation and on which the colours of the uniforms and harnesses stand out. It is worth noting how these aspects in this case are corroborated by the good preservation of the drafts, conducted with dense, mellow brushstrokes. Reference bibliography: G. Sestieri, I Pittori di Battaglie, Rome 1999, pp. 382 ; 393, with previous bibliography.