Hans de Jode (The Hague, 1630 – Vienna, 1663)
Fantasy winter landscape with a lake and a city on its banks
Circa 1650
Oils on canvas (62 x 93, with frames 82 x 112)
The work is accompanied by an expertise from Dr. Fred G. Meijer (Amsterdam)
Full details of the work, and its pendant, at - link -
The celebration of winter was an extremely beloved and sought-after theme in Flemish landscape painting during the 17th century, representing a true artistic genre in its own right for cultured patrons.
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 for collectors, as the painter's canvases are almost exclusively found in public collections and are rarely available on the market.
In our case, the scene is permeated by that inimitable fairytale aura that made the master's works famous, a representation with an enchanted, romantic atmosphere, where small fantasy details and the magical winter atmosphere are exalted, characterized by rugged rocky landscapes with bridges, towers, and cities on the banks, emphasized by highly accentuated luminosity.
There is a reduced color palette, with skillfully juxtaposed cool and warm tones; an almost unreal silence predominates in the painting, in which everything is enveloped by an almost unreal tranquility, typical of his landscapes.
Born in The Hague, the artist had a eventful life, during which he spent a large part of his life in Italy, in Rome and Venice, and finally in Vienna, working as a painter for the imperial court.
The scholar hypothesizes a temporal placement in De Jode's Italian period, 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 that can be perceived in his more or less fantastic landscapes, characterized by a fluid and rapid brushstroke and a compositional scheme often with a diagonal cut, with bizarre clumps of trees and contrasted luminism.
As a comparison, we can illustrate below some works by the artist that show clear analogies with the composition in question, including:
- Landscape with waterfall, 1657, Castelvecchio Museum (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 with a certificate of guarantee and authenticity, with a descriptive iconographic sheet.
We handle and organize the transport of purchased works, both for Italy and abroad, through professional and insured carriers.
It is also possible to view the painting at the gallery in Riva del Garda, by appointment; we will be happy to welcome you to show you our collection of works.
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