Leseprobe

66 Joos de Momper Antwerp 1564–1635 Antwerp Mountain Landscape with Broken Tree Trunks in the River c. 1618 Inscription bottom right: Mom[…] Oil on oak panel; 53×71.5 cm First mentioned in the 1754 inventory Gal. no. 870 This spectacular view of a mountain landscape, falling precipitously to the coast on the left of the picture, has been meticulously composed by Joos de Momper, down to the smallest detail. Following the traditional three-colour scheme of aerial per- spective, the mountain ridges in the middle and far distance are clearly distinguished from the strange brown rock formations in the foreground. Precarious wood and stone bridges, shattered tree trunks, and treacherous paths pose real dangers for travellers through this inhospitable region. Dynamic contrasts of light and dark, large and small, near and far, heighten the dramatic effect. As Momper’s contem- poraries would have been well aware, this is not a realistic depiction of a geographic region, but an idealized image drawn fromMomper’s own experience of high moun- tains for the enjoyment of ‘armchair travellers’. As such, it belongs to a painting tradition that stretches as far back as the famous landscape compositions of Pieter Bruegel the Elder. Following the usual practice in Flemish workshops, the staffage figures are by another painter, in this case probably Jan Brueghel the Elder.  |  un