Classical Landscape with a Fountain 

Paul Bril made this landscape drawing with pen and brown ink, accented by brown wash, sometime before his death in 1626. The drawing gives us a bird's eye view into a panoramic landscape. A figure stands by a fountain, drawing water, while animals of burden trudge along the worn road. A classical ruin sits atop a distant hill. The monochromatic effect, achieved by layering the ink in washes, suggests the subtle gradations of atmosphere. Bril was a master of this technique, allowing him to create depth and texture with just a few simple strokes. The effect is one of serene order, but on closer viewing we can see the marks of labor and commerce throughout. Bril’s choice of humble materials throws this relationship into sharp relief. It reminds us that even the most idealized landscapes are built environments, shaped by human activity.