Mountainous Landscape 1660 - 1685

Jan Hackaert’s Mountainous Landscape was rendered in oil on canvas, using traditional materials to evoke a rather untraditional scene. Look closely, and you’ll notice that the landscape isn't just ‘there.’ Hackaert carefully layered thin glazes of paint, building up the mountains and foliage with delicate brushstrokes. The canvas itself has a subtle texture that catches the light, adding depth to the scene. This is no mere depiction of nature. Hackaert skillfully manipulated his materials to create an idealized vision of the world. This involved significant labor, from grinding pigments to carefully applying each layer of paint. It also speaks to the cultural values of the time, where landscape painting was becoming increasingly popular. By taking note of how it was made, we understand the amount of work, skill, and cultural context that went into creating it. This challenges the divide between fine art and craft, as both require skilled manipulation of materials to bring an idea to life.