A Gallant Couple

The German artist Johann Liss is best known for the dramatic baroque paintings that he produced during the final decade of his life, when he lived in Rome and Venice. Earlier in his career, however, he worked in Haarlem and Amsterdam. This drawing surely dates to this earlier period, for the figures are akin to those in the courtly scenes and merry company compositions that Liss produced at that time, under the influence of his Dutch and Flemish contemporaries.
Watermark: Shield surmounted by crown and quatrefoil, crossed iines (sword?) inside, fragment. Watermark, transmitted infrared, shield, crown, quatrefoil, X. 450014wm_2024_3_WM_transmIR.tiff