Herberg bij de grot van Egeria 1624 - 1629

Bartholomeus Breenbergh made this drawing of a scene at the grotto of Egeria using pen and wash. Breenbergh was Dutch, and lived in Italy for a time, where he became part of a community of painters from the Netherlands and Northern Europe. This community, known as the "Bentvueghels," were interested in portraying the Italian landscape as a romantic space for pleasure, with loose, informal gatherings of people populating ancient ruins. The Grotto of Egeria, near Rome, was believed to be where a water nymph once advised a Roman king. The image offers a glimpse into the social rituals of the Bentvueghels, who would come together to celebrate classical antiquity. They would research classical texts, visit ruins and host lively parties. These artists saw themselves as part of a new kind of institution, one that could cultivate a spirit of free expression and celebrate the past. By looking at archival sources like letters and inventories, we can better understand their influence on artistic culture.