Landscape with a Battle between Two Rams 1635 - 1645

Jan Miel’s “Landscape with a Battle between Two Rams” was realized with oil paint, a medium prized for its versatility. Oil’s slow drying time allowed Miel to blend colours seamlessly, creating depth and atmosphere. The work features a wide range of earthy tones – ochre, brown, and green – and these would have been achieved through careful layering and glazing. Notice how these hues contribute to the painting's pastoral setting, with a visceral naturalism that makes you feel as if you could step into the landscape. The smoothness of the paint surface itself is a testament to Miel's masterful technique. But beyond the landscape, this is really a painting about labor – about the people who tend the sheep, and the animals themselves. Their presence reminds us that even the most serene landscape is a product of human activity and social hierarchies. So, next time you encounter a landscape painting, think about the materials, the making, and the context – the unseen labor that brings these scenes to life.