Hans de Jode (L'Aia, 1630 – Vienna, 1663)

Hans de Jode (The Hague, 1630 – Vienna, 1663) Fantasy winter landscape with bridge and tower Circa 1650 Oil on canvas (62 x 93, in frames 82 x 112) The work is accompanied by an expertise of Dr. Fred G. Meijer (Amsterdam) Full details of the work, and its pendant, on - link - The celebration of winter has been, in Flemish landscape painting, a theme that was extremely loved and sought after by the educated clientele of the 17th century, representing a true autonomous artistic genre. As Professor Fred Meijer has confirmed, following his in-depth study, this is a typical painting by the Flemish painter Hans de Jode (The Hague, 1630 – Vienna, 1663) and constitutes a true rarity at a collectors' level, since the painter's canvases are almost exclusively the prerogative of public collections and are rarely available on the market. In our case, the scene is permeated by that inimitable fairy-tale aura that made the works of the Flemish master famous, a representation with an enchanted, romantic atmosphere, where small fantasy details and the magical winter atmosphere are exalted, characterized by rough rocky landscapes with bridges, towers and cities on the banks, emphasized by a very accentuated luminosity. There is a reduced chromatic palette, with cold and warm tones expertly combined; an almost unreal silence predominates in the painting, in which everything is enveloped in an almost unreal quiet, typical of his landscapes. Born in The Hague, the artist had a hectic life, which saw him stay for most of his life in Italy, in Rome and Venice, and finally in Vienna, working as a painter of the imperial court. The scholar hypothesizes a temporal placement to the Italian period of De Jode, presumably around 1650/1660, when the author stayed in Rome, where he came into contact with the works of Salvator Rosa, as documented by the influence of the latter is perceived in his more or less fantastic landscapes, characterized by a fluid and fast brushstroke and by a compositional scheme often diagonal, with bizarre spots of trees and a contrasted luminism. For comparison, we can illustrate below some works by the author that show evident analogy with the composition in question, including: - Landscape with waterfall, 1657, Museo di Castelvecchio (Italy, Verona) https://artsandculture.google.com/asset/paesaggio-hans-de-jode-l-aia-1630-vienna-1663/iwFwgd3S58-HS - Landscape with bathers, Fabre Museum (France, Montpellier) https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Jode_Paysage_aux_baigneurs.JP - Mountain landscape with shepherds, 1660, Kromeriz Castle Museum (now National Gallery, Prague - Landscape with river and tower, Christie's (Amsterdam) 2001-11-07, lot 28 https://rkd.nl/nl/explore/images/record?filters%5Bkunstenaar%5D=Jode%2C+Hans+de&query=&start.. - Landscape, Rome C. Sestieri Collection - Landscape with bridge and cross, Valtice Castle, National monument of the Czech Republic https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Hans_de_Jode_-_Landscape_with_a_bridge_and_cross.JPG ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: The painting is completed by a pleasant gilded wooden frame. The work is sold accompanied by a certificate of guarantee and authenticity, with descriptive iconographic sheet. We take care of and organize the transport of works purchased, both for Italy and abroad, through professional and insured carriers. It is also possible to see the painting in the gallery of Riva del Garda, by appointment; we will be happy to welcome you to show you our collection of works. Contact us, without obligation, to receive any further information. Follow us also on : https://www.instagram.com/galleriacastelbarco/?hl=it https://www.facebook.com/galleriacastelbarco/