Jan Wildens (1584/6-1653)

Although not related to any of the engravings after Wildens, this unpublished sheet is executed in the same style and technique as his print models (W. Adler, Jan Wildens. Der Landschaftsmitarbeiter des Rubens, Fridingen, 1980, nos. Z 2-Z 6, Z 10, Z 11, Z 12, figs. 172-177, 180-182). Very similar in subject-matter and composition, but lacking the staffage, is a drawing at the Louvre (inv. 20646; see Adler, op. cit., no. Z 15, fig. 185). Wildens, who is best known as a collaborator of Peter Paul Rubens, pursued a successful independent career as a landscapist both before and after his activity in the master’s studio in 1616-1620. The present drawing must date from a few years before, around the same time as the print models, i.e. around 1614.