Henry de Vere, 18th Earl of Oxford and Henry Wriothsly, 3rd Earl of Southampton

Unknown Artist

National Gallery of Art

The image shows two men mounted on horseback, visible from head to toe. Both men are sitting upright in a formal posture. The man on the left has long, wavy hair and a slight mustache, while the man on the right has curly hair with a more pronounced beard and mustache. Both are wearing elaborate clothing typical of noblemen, with detailed patterns and ruffled collars. The man on the left appears to be holding a ribbon or a banner. The horses are outfitted with ornate saddles and detailed reins. One horse has a feathered adornment on its head. In the background, there is a detailed landscape that includes structures resembling a town or fort and small figures of people. The scene suggests a battle or skirmish in progress. The artwork is set on a textured ground, with floral and heraldic elements included in the design.