Landschap met man met hond 1613 - 1695

Nicolas Perelle created this landscape with man and dog with pen and brown ink in the Netherlands in the 17th century. In this period, the Dutch Republic was a major economic and cultural power. The rise of a wealthy merchant class led to a demand for art that reflected their values and interests. Here, the orderly landscape and the well-dressed figures could be seen as representing the values of this class, with its emphasis on reason, order, and control over nature. But we might also think about the role of the Academy in shaping artistic production at this time. Artists were increasingly trained in formal techniques and encouraged to follow established conventions. To understand more, we might look at the writings of contemporary art theorists, the records of art academies, and the diaries and letters of artists and patrons. By understanding the social and institutional context in which this landscape was created, we can gain a deeper appreciation of its meaning and significance.