Italiaanse binnenplaats met een waterput 1626 - 1677

Thomas Wijck made this drawing of an Italian Courtyard with a Well in the 17th century. We see an everyday scene of laborers drawing water. But the setting is significant, tapping into a common interest among Northern European artists of the time. Italy represented the classical world, and the Italian courtyard was a popular setting for artists looking to evoke a romanticized version of antiquity. The classical column on the left and the arched doorways reference the architectural vocabulary of ancient Rome. By studying the lifestyles of those who lived among those ruins, 17th century artists could better imagine the classical world. At the same time, we need to consider how the image might reflect the social structures of its own time. The laborers in the image, and the crumbling state of the architecture, imply the realities of poverty and urban decay. Historical research into the artist's biography and the records of artistic exchange between Italy and the Netherlands would help us to more fully understand this work.