Attributed to Nicolaes Latombe, called Stoppertje (Amsterdam 1616-1676)

According to a note in the RKD archives, the attribution of the present drawing to Nicolaes Latombe was suggested by 'E.B.', probably Egbert Haverkamp Begemann. This relatively little-known artist was born in Amsterdam but travelled to Italy in his youth and remained in Rome for most of his life, where he became particularly well known for views of Italianate landscapes ornamented with ruins and picturesque figures. He, like many of the young Dutch artists studying in the city, was given a nickname by his friends: he became known as 'Stoppertje', as a result of his habit of tamping down or 'stopping' the tobacco in his pipe.