Landschap met een uil in een boom

About this artwork

verzamelaarsmerk, verso, gestempeld: Lugt 240

Art Historical Context

**Landschap met een uil in een boom (Landscape with an Owl in a Tree)** Created by Dutch etcher Adriaen van der Kabel (c. 1648–1705), this delicate etching captures a serene yet evocative landscape, measuring 226 × 342 mm. Van der Kabel, active during the waning years of the Dutch Golden Age, specialized in intricate landscapes that blend natural detail with subtle atmosphere. The titular owl perched in a tree adds a layer of intrigue—owls often symbolized wisdom or mystery in 17th-century Dutch art, evoking quiet nocturnal contemplation amid rolling hills and foliage. Etching, the medium here, was a hallmark of Dutch printmaking innovation, allowing artists like van der Kabel to achieve fine lines and tonal depth through acid-bitten copper plates. This technique democratized art, making detailed landscapes accessible beyond oil paintings. Produced in an era when landscape prints were prized by collectors for their portability and precision, this work exemplifies the period's fascination with nature's poetry. Verso bears a stamped collector's mark (Lugt 240), linking it to esteemed European provenance and highlighting its enduring appeal among connoisseurs. A gem for print enthusiasts, it invites visitors to ponder the owl's watchful gaze over a timeless vista.

About the Artist

Adriaen van der Kabel · 1630–1705

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