Bergachtig landschap in Italië 1648 - 1671

Jan de Bisschop made this pen and brown ink drawing of a mountainous Italian landscape in the mid-17th century. De Bisschop, a lawyer by trade, was part of a vibrant artistic community in Amsterdam during the Dutch Golden Age. The image presents an idealized view of the Italian countryside, a common subject for Northern European artists seeking to connect with the classical past. But this wasn't just about pretty scenery; the image-making was also tied to the rise of a wealthy merchant class in the Netherlands, eager to display their refined tastes. De Bisschop's technique reflects his legal training. He carefully observed and recorded the world around him. We know this because he left behind a large number of drawings as well as prints that he made after them. Examining these drawings in conjunction with archival sources helps us understand how the social and economic conditions of the time influenced his artistic output.