Wooded Landscape with Bathing Nymps 1633 - 1636

Alexander Keirincx made this oil painting, "Wooded Landscape with Bathing Nymphs," sometime in the first half of the 17th century. It reflects a vogue for pastoral scenes, popular among wealthy landowners who viewed the countryside as a space of leisure, pleasure and retreat. Keirincx was Flemish, and the influence of his homeland is obvious in the work's naturalism. However, the bathing nymphs introduce a classical theme, reminiscent of ancient Greek and Roman art. This combination of naturalism and classicism was a common feature of art patronized by European aristocrats. These paintings naturalize power by representing it as timeless. As art historians, we need to research the patrons who commissioned such works, examining estate records and other documents to understand how art served the interests of the wealthy. Only through careful analysis can we grasp the complex social meanings embedded in this seemingly simple landscape.