Lente 1581 - 1656

Nicolaes de Bruyn created this engraving, "Lente," or "Spring," at an unknown date. The composition is dominated by a meticulously designed garden in the foreground, contrasting with the broader landscape that includes both a palatial building and rustic structures. De Bruyn uses linear precision to delineate every detail, from the intricate patterns of the garden beds to the textures of the buildings. The landscape isn't just a backdrop but is actively integrated through its structural parallels with the garden, creating a dialogue between cultivated nature and wilder elements. The figures, rendered with careful attention to their activities, are integral to the composition. They underscore the theme of spring through their engagement with the land, planting and tending. The contrast in architecture further enriches the print’s thematic scope, reflecting social hierarchies and the interplay between the natural and the artificial.