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River Landscape with House on a Rocky Island

Digital image courtesy of the Getty's Open Content Program | Public Domain

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Date

c.1620-1630

Artist

Isaac Major (1588-after 1642)

Collection

Image Link

http://www.getty.edu/art/collection/objects/239/isaac-major-river-landscape-with-house-on-a-rocky-island-flemish-about-1620-1630/

Description

Despite the drawing's title, the monumental trees at the center are clearly the focus of the composition. Twisting sinuously, they seem more alive, more vital, and more organic than the diminutive human figures sprinkled throughout the scene. Isaac Major achieved his effects in watercolor without relying on an underlying pen or pencil sketch for guidance.
This sheet is one of a group of landscapes by Major called the "indigo" drawings, after the blue wash he applied with a brush. He envisioned the scene almost completely in monochrome. While a single color, blue, suggests the entire range of light, shadow, and color, he added touches of green, yellow, and reddish watercolor as appropriate.
The rugged terrain shows the influence of Roelandt Savery and Pieter Stevens, after whose works Major made a number of engravings. The black chalk squaring indicates that he may have made this drawing in preparation for a print, although none is known. Medium: watercolour, squared in black chalk.

Image Licence

Public Domain

Image Credit

Digital image courtesy of the Getty's Open Content Program

Location

Germany

Country

Tags

Bridges
Landscapes
Rivers
Trees

Category

Landscapes & Seascapes

Glossary
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© 2024 Watercolour World | Technology by The Museum Platform

© 2024 Watercolour World | Technology by The Museum Platform