Mountain Scenery with a River 1658 - 1692

Roelant Roghman created this expansive "Mountain Scenery with a River" with oil on canvas. Here, the very qualities of oil paint contribute to the artwork's atmospheric depth and detail. Roghman skillfully models the forms of the landscape with a careful application of thin glazes, one layer upon the next. The fluid nature of oil allows for blending and blurring, creating a sense of distance and atmospheric perspective. Consider the labor invested in this piece. Oil paint must be carefully mixed, pigments ground, and brushes meticulously handled. The canvas itself would have been stretched and prepared. Every stroke reveals Roghman’s practiced hand and knowledge of materials. Paying close attention to the materials, making, and context, we gain a deeper appreciation for the artist's skill, labor and intent, blurring the boundaries between craft, design, and fine art.