Landscape with Hunters 1660 - 1687

Jacob Esselens made this painting, Landscape with Hunters, in the Dutch Golden Age, using oil paint on canvas. Esselens' handling of the oil paint is critical to the painting's success. The way the pigments are ground, mixed with oil, and layered onto the canvas creates a sense of depth and atmosphere. The texture of the paint itself contributes to the overall visual experience. Look at the dark tones of the trees in contrast with the golden light in the sky; this juxtaposition would have required careful labor with these raw materials. The canvas support also plays a role. Its weave provides a subtle texture that interacts with the paint layers. In the 17th century, the making of these landscape paintings involved a division of labor, from the preparation of pigments to the stretching of canvas. Understanding these processes helps us appreciate the artistic skill and labor involved. It challenges the traditional separation between art and craft.