A Man with a Dog in a Landscape (Alternative Title: A Pedlar with a Dog in a Landscape)

Abraham Bloemaert 1566 - 1651

Summary

A pedlar with a large wooden crate strapped to his back takes a rest on his journey. His only companion is his dog, who rests his head docilely on his master's foot. Their warm, earthy colours blend in with the land to create a simple, idyllic vision of country life. The fallen branch lying in front of them perhaps alludes to exhaustion or physical decrepitude, while the overcast sky threatens to make their journey even more uncomfortable. Small rural communities relied on pedlars, who provided basic household items, but also carried small luxuries and brought news from the outside world. Bloemaert was born in Gorinchem, near Dordrecht. Most of his life was spent working in Utrecht, a Catholic enclave in a predominantly Protestant country, where he enjoyed a long and successful career as a painter and teacher. Bloemaert's choice of subject and style altered throughout his career, but his greatest output by far was large-scale religious works and he produced several altarpieces for clandestine Catholic churches. He was also a talented draughtsman, producing more than 1500 drawings, including figure and landscape studies, and preparatory studies for paintings. His renowned studio produced some of the most famous painters of the day, including Gerrit van Honthorst, Hendrick ter Bruggen, Cornelis van Poelenburgh, Jan Both, Jan Weenix and Jacob Gerritsz. Cuyp. This work, probably dating from 1630-35, is typical of Bloemaert's mature interest in painting scenes of peasant life.

Display Label

A Man with a Dog in a Landscape about 1632 Abraham Bloemaert 1566-1651 Oil on canvas A traveller, with a large wooden crate full of goods, takes a well-earned rest from his journey and looks out at the wide, open landscape. His only companion is a dog who tenderly rests his head on his master’s foot. Their warm, earthy colours blend in with the land, to create a simple, idyllic vision of country life. Bloemaert’s choice of subject and style altered throughout his career. By far his greatest output was large-scale religious works; one of his impressive altarpieces hangs nearby. Purchased with the assistance of the Assheton Bennett bequest fund 1978.261