Landscape c. 1640

Anthony van Dyck made this watercolor landscape, likely in England, sometime in the 1630s. He was based in London at the time, a celebrated court painter to Charles I. Van Dyck is best known for his portraits, which helped to establish an aristocratic ideal in England. But in this landscape, we glimpse a different side of the artist. It seems to capture an informal view from nature, maybe sketched on the spot. However, it is important to remember that the naturalness of landscape imagery is often carefully constructed. Picturesque landscapes became highly fashionable at this time. They reflected evolving social attitudes towards land ownership and the picturesque country estate. To understand this artwork better, we could research the aesthetic values of the period and, perhaps, visit some of the country estates that Van Dyck might have frequented. This art gives us a glimpse into the social values of 17th century England.