['Italian Landscape with two Roman Soldiers', 'Decoration for a Room in the House of Jacob de Flines in Amsterdam'] c. 1687

Gerard de Lairesse created this painting, ‘Italian Landscape with Two Roman Soldiers’ as a room decoration for the house of Jacob de Flines in Amsterdam. Looking at this scene we can see how Dutch artists in the 17th century looked back to classical antiquity to legitimize and ennoble their own cultural moment. The painting’s formal elements construct a world of ideal beauty and harmony. It presents an imagined vision of Italy through a composition designed to evoke feelings of serenity and contemplation. But such landscapes were also bound up with the economic realities of the Dutch Golden Age. Amsterdam was a major center of global trade, and wealthy merchants like Jacob de Flines decorated their homes with paintings like this to demonstrate their sophisticated taste and worldly knowledge. The presence of Roman soldiers hints at military power, evoking the imperial ambitions of the Dutch Republic. To truly understand this work, we would want to know more about the artist, his patrons, and the cultural values of their time.