Berglandschap met stenen brug

About this artwork

verzamelaarsmerk, verso, gestempeld: Lugt 2228

Art Historical Context

**Berglandschap metenen brug (Mountain Landscape with Stone Bridge Created by Dutch artist Auguste Numans (3–1879), this delicate etching captures the sublime beauty of a rugged mountain dominated by a sturdy stone bridgeing over a misty valley. Numans, active in the mid-19th century, was known for his romanticized depictions of nature, evoking the era's fascination with the grandeur of the Alps and pastoral scenes. The composition draws viewers into a serene yet dramatic vista, where jagged peaks and winding paths highlight humanity's harmonious integration with the wild. Etched on a modest plate measuring 130 × 197 mm, the work exemplifies 19th-century printmaking techniques. Etching allowed artists like Numans to achieve intricate lines and tonal depth through acid-bitten copper plates, making detailed landscapes accessible to a wider audience beyond oil paintings. This medium was prized for its reproducibility and affordability, bridging fine art with emerging collector markets. A notable feature is the collector's mark on the verso (Lugt 2228), linking it to the esteemed holdings of Frits Lugt, a pioneering art historian. This provenance underscores the etching's place in the canon of Dutch Romantic printmaking, offering visitors a window into 19th-century wanderlust and technical mastery.

About the Artist

Auguste Numans · 1822–1901

Auguste Numans (1822–1901) was a Belgian painter, draftsman, and printmaker whose career spanned the full breadth of Belgium's cultural golden age in the 19th century. Born on April 22, 1823, in Brussels (though some historical records suggest Antwerp), and dying on October 16, 1901, in Brussels, Numans worked during a period when Belgian art achieved international recognition through figures like...