Morgenlandschaft (Aurora) 1606

Adam Elsheimer painted this oil on copper panel, “Morgenlandschaft (Aurora),” in Rome sometime before 1610. The painting blends the traditions of northern landscape with the mythological themes that were popular with Roman patrons, and gives us a glimpse into the cultural milieu that shaped Elsheimer’s work. Look at the way the light dawns across the landscape, touching the trees and distant hills. Elsheimer's ability to capture light was studied and admired by artists like Rembrandt and Rubens. Living in Rome allowed Elsheimer to create a new type of painting for the educated elite, combining close observation of nature with the stories of classical literature. He frequented the scholarly circles of artists and intellectuals, a cultural world supported by powerful institutions such as the Vatican. Understanding Elsheimer's world through archival research and close attention to the painting helps us understand how artists forge new paths by responding to their historical moment.