Fluvial landscape with the Baptism of the Eunuch

Important Dutch artist, who specialized in Dutch landscapes. While it is known that Snellinck belonged to a family of great artists, many aspects of his life remain unknown. However, it is documented that he developed his entire artistic career in Rotterdam. His son, Jan Snellinck III was also his student and continued to develop the same landscape style. The painters who specialized in landscapes used to go out to the country side and take long walks while sketching what they saw, which would make it easier to remember their surroundings once they went back to their art studios. In Snellinck’s sunlit and lively landscapes one can often perceive cattle, shepherds, ruins, and an enormous tree that always plays a leading role in the foreground, exhibiting beautiful lighting from the sunny sky. Following the trends of the Dutch school of the XVII century, the dominant tones are ocher and green, thereby creating a very powerful light that falls obliquely into the artwork, creating perspective. The figures that appear brightening these landscapes are small and fit very well with the scene. Snellinck did many landscapes with biblical scenes, which were very appreciated in the time.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

• W. Bernt, “The Netherlandish Painters of the Seventeenth Century”, Phaidon, 1970, Vol III, p. 108, plate 1083
• A. Bredius, Oud “Holland, VIII”, 1890, p. 5
• E. Benezit, “Dictionnaire des peintres, sculpteurs, dessinateurs et graveurs”, Vol. 12, p. 927

PROVENANCE

Private Collection, Vienna

MUSEUMS

Snellinck’s works can be found in many museums around the world including: Rótterdam- Historisch Museum, Viena- Kunsthistorisches Museum.