When it comes to Dutch landscapes there is one artist that predominantly comes to my mind: Aert van der Neer.
Moody, sombre, bleak and bare; Aert van der Neer captures the imagination with autumnal and wintry landscape scenes and figures with contrasting animation against the backdrop of a blustery and cold setting.
Born in 1603 and deceased in 1677 Aert van der Neer mostly lived a life of complete obscurity and poverty although he was a contemporary of more famous artists such as Albert Cuyp and Mendert Hobbema in an age that has been described as the Golden Age of Dutch painting. It was not until after his death that his sombre landscapes and settings became a source of inspiration for the great painters of the romantic movement in the latter 18th century. Aert van der Neer died in Amsterdam penniless and his paintings were deemed unwanted as an artist born with an artistic vision that was much ahead of his time. Note the sombre melancholy in the artists eyes through his masterful renditions of nocturnal scenes juxtaposed with glimmers of hope through the artists view of a lively humanity that sparkles into life set against a background of a wintry mood.
Collection of oil on wood panel board paintings:
Aert van der Neer may not have captured the imagination of his contemporaries but his wonderful use of neutral colors in contrast with flickers of yellow and balance of shade with light bears all the tinges and hallmarks of the creative genius of a much more famous successor; the wilder and unwieldy JMW Turner himself, leading the passionate revolt against the organized pastoral blandness of his age. Truly the critics of the Dutch Golden Age had sorely missed the creativity of an under-estimated genius in the guise of the impoverished artist Aert van der Neer. Witness the birth of the argument of art for art's sake crying out for individuality against conformity. For Aert van der Neer there has always been something magical about sunsets and sunrises as points in time where events should commence to unfold or close upon us. All Time is broken down into these two chapters of nature and life. Herein, the under-estimated master combines the use of shades of murky brown and dull grey contrasting greatly and effectively with the foreground subject matter of figures that seem to become even larger than life itself in spirit on wooden panel. Drawn to the chill of nature Aert van der Neer sketches the continuity of life oblivious to the seasonal changes. Although unsuccessful in life later artists could become impressed with the Dutch master's astuteness of finding excitement among common themes. Aert van der Neer would always be remembered for his soul searching on canvas and his attempt to portray life within the enveloping darkness of nature at it's bleakest. An underlying Romantic tone can almost be discerned as the artist masterfully combines the powerful emotions of sadness with joy to render his natural landscapes with deeper thoughtful reflections on the vagaries of all life. Ahead in time; unrecognized in the present; the lofty sentiment of the artist could only choose to create from a vision untainted by the need to conform even should it mean a road towards abject poverty and a lonely destination in his lifetime.
Discussions in fine art by Pieter Bergli
For my readers that enjoy a cafe and something to read please turn to my other blog -
http://thegenteelworldofcoffee.blogspot.com/
and of course for lovers of art
https://www.pinterest.com/myartmusings/
and for readings in history there is my writings on the histories of the Napoleonic campaigns at
http://austerlitz-borodino-waterloo.blogspot.com/
Thank you
Collection of oil on wood panel board paintings:
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| Landscape with Windmill c.1647 Aert van der Neer - Hermitage Museum |
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| Moonlit Landscape with a View of the New Amstel River and Castle Kostverloren c.1649 Aert van der Neer - Getty Center |
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| Moonlit Landscape with Bridge c.1650 Aert van der Neer - National Gallery of Art, Washington D.C. |
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| Riviergezicht bij winter c. 1655 - Aert van der Neer - Rijksmuseum Amsterdam |
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| Winter Landscape c.1660 Aert van der Neer - Gemäldegalerie Berlin |
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| Frozen River at Sunset c.1662 Aert van der Neer - Private Collection |
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| River Lanscape c.1663 Aert van der Neer - Gemäldegalerie, Berlin |
Aert van der Neer may not have captured the imagination of his contemporaries but his wonderful use of neutral colors in contrast with flickers of yellow and balance of shade with light bears all the tinges and hallmarks of the creative genius of a much more famous successor; the wilder and unwieldy JMW Turner himself, leading the passionate revolt against the organized pastoral blandness of his age. Truly the critics of the Dutch Golden Age had sorely missed the creativity of an under-estimated genius in the guise of the impoverished artist Aert van der Neer. Witness the birth of the argument of art for art's sake crying out for individuality against conformity. For Aert van der Neer there has always been something magical about sunsets and sunrises as points in time where events should commence to unfold or close upon us. All Time is broken down into these two chapters of nature and life. Herein, the under-estimated master combines the use of shades of murky brown and dull grey contrasting greatly and effectively with the foreground subject matter of figures that seem to become even larger than life itself in spirit on wooden panel. Drawn to the chill of nature Aert van der Neer sketches the continuity of life oblivious to the seasonal changes. Although unsuccessful in life later artists could become impressed with the Dutch master's astuteness of finding excitement among common themes. Aert van der Neer would always be remembered for his soul searching on canvas and his attempt to portray life within the enveloping darkness of nature at it's bleakest. An underlying Romantic tone can almost be discerned as the artist masterfully combines the powerful emotions of sadness with joy to render his natural landscapes with deeper thoughtful reflections on the vagaries of all life. Ahead in time; unrecognized in the present; the lofty sentiment of the artist could only choose to create from a vision untainted by the need to conform even should it mean a road towards abject poverty and a lonely destination in his lifetime.
Discussions in fine art by Pieter Bergli
For my readers that enjoy a cafe and something to read please turn to my other blog -
http://thegenteelworldofcoffee.blogspot.com/
and of course for lovers of art
https://www.pinterest.com/myartmusings/
and for readings in history there is my writings on the histories of the Napoleonic campaigns at
http://austerlitz-borodino-waterloo.blogspot.com/
Thank you
