Isaac de Moucheron

This splendid, perfectly preserved forest landscape is one of the late works of the Amsterdam painter and draughtsman, Isaac de Moucheron, which he produced in 1742 two years before his death. Isaac was given the first name of his maternal grandfather, Isaac de Jouderville (1613 – up to 1648), who was a pupil of Rembrandt, and was trained by his father, the prominent Italianate landscape painter Frederick de Moucheron (1633– 1686). From 1695 to 1697 the young artist went to study in Rome, where he joined the artistic society of the Bentveughels. His artistically composed landscapes resulted in him being respectfully called “Ordonnantie” by fellow members of the guild. After his return to Amsterdam Moucheron developed into a successful and very busy painter of idealised vedute and Arcadian landscapes, whose lyrical mood reveals the strong influence of Gaspar Dughet and Claude Lorrain.

The present forest landscape, which has been carefully composed, should be regarded as an autonomous work of art, as is also indicated by its consummate and technically sophisticated execution. Highly finished drawings of this kind by the artist were coveted collectors’ items in the 18th century.