Gideon Choosing his Army
In this energetic Mannerist sketch, we see the biblical hero Gideon making a crucial tactical decision. The central armored figure gestures commandingly while his soldiers crouch by the water's edge—this isn't just a break, it's a test. According to the Book of Judges, Gideon had to whittle his massive army down to just 300 men by choosing only those who lapped water like dogs, and this drawing captures that chaotic moment of selection. The loose strokes and dramatic poses typical of della Rovere's style make the scene feel like a snapshot of a bustling military camp right before battle.
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