Jacques de Gheyn
Detail of studies of a nude woman
Brussels, Koninklijke Musea voor Schone Kunsten
From the museum website
During the first half of the 17th century, trade, science and culture are flourishing in the Republic of the Northern Netherlands. Dutch artists specialize in an ever increasing number of genres to meet the demand of a strongly growing free market. The buyers belong to the cream of the middle class which collects for the first time works on paper in large amounts. In this exhibition almost one hundred remarkable sheets covering the whole 17th century, show the diversity of styles, techniques and functions, that characterizes the art of drawing in that periode. The most important personalities and movements come alive again in this lavishly varied selection which illustrates all the subjects that were popular at that time. From the landscapes and cityviews to the seascapes, portraits and views from Italy through the biblical scenes or genre paintings and studies of figures or animals, these drawings provide a lively portrait of Dutch life at home and abroad in the 17th Century. All these drawings display the dazzling talent of their authors among whom Hendrick Goltzius, Peter Saenredam, Adriaen van Ostade and Rembrandt are the most famous.