Landscape with two Hunters 1655 - 1684

Jan Wijnants painted Landscape with two Hunters sometime in the 17th century, a period when the Dutch Republic was a major economic power, and the merchant class commissioned art that reflected their values and interests. Wijnants’ painting presents us with an image of the Dutch countryside, transformed into a site of leisure. The inclusion of hunters signals the gentry's access to land and privilege. Yet, the subdued palette and focus on naturalistic details also hint at a changing relationship with the land, one that moves from necessity to something closer to appreciation. It's hard not to consider how this idyll obscures the labor and resources extracted from both the local environment and far-off colonial holdings that supported such displays of wealth and recreation. The atmospheric perspective invites us into the scene. Take a moment to consider how this landscape serves as both a backdrop for human activity and a reflection of societal structures.