Jan Both - Italian Landscape with Draughtsman [c.1650]

Jan Both - Italian Landscape with Draughtsman [c.1650], a photo by Gandalf's Gallery on Flickr.

In a shady spot beside a raging mountain stream, a small group is taking a rest from the journey. One of the travellers, on the left by the bridge, is drawing. The paper is illuminated by a ray of sun falling directly across it. A shepherd is looking over the draughtsman's shoulder. The sunlight also draws attention to the herd of goats on the far left and to the other people, the travellers and goat herds, who are sitting on the rocks either side of the ravine. Others continue on their way, their luggage being carried by mules. This is unmistakably a southern landscape conjured up by the painter, a piece of Italy bathed in warm sunlight. Jan Both painted this large picture in around 1650.

[Oil on canvas, 187 x 240 cm]