18th-Century Dutch School Idealised Landscape With Resting Figures

18th-Century Dutch School Idealised Landscape With Resting Figures

A fine 18th-century oil on canvas depicting two figures resting in an idealised rural landscape with setting sun. The artist has drawn their inspiration from the imagined landscapes of classical painters, such as Claude Lorrain and Nicolas Poussin.

Artists working in this manner would combine elements from their own natural world with fictional components from antiquity. Often they’d incorporate imagined ruins in a classical style as we can see towards the right of this painting.

Also, note how the large tree guides our eye towards the figures and then across to the mountains on our right. It’s another visual tool that’s intended to help the viewer navigate the scene.

The painting is a celebration of the natural world and it still brings a moment of calm as it originally sought to achieve.

Medium
Oil on canvas
Overall size 
23” x 18” / 45cm x 58cm
Year of creation c. 1750
Provenance Holland
Condition
Craquelure throughout but the paint layer is stable. Canvas relined. A little age-related dirt in areas but otherwise fine. Frame in good condition.

Conservation & History

We care profoundly about our role as custodians and every piece in the collection has been assessed by our conservator. When required, we undertake professional restoration carefully using reversible techniques and adopt a light touch to retain the aged charm of each work. We also often restore frames rather than replace them as many are original and selected by the artists themselves.

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