Philips Wouwermans was the son of one artist (Pauwels), and brother to two more, Pieter and Johannes, both of whom seem to have joined their more talented brother’s studio.
The particular form of the signature – “PHW” in monogram – suggests this picture was created before 1646. After beginning his career under the influence of the Bamboccianti, whose impact can be seen both in the strong diagonal composition and the focus on anecdotal detail in the depiction of the cavaliers, Wouwerman gradually developed a more elegant, courtly style and a taste for more elevated subject matter.
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