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for Jan Asselijn
Jan Asselijn
Dutch, before 1610 - 1652
Painter, draughtsman. Genre scenes, landscapes with figures, landscapes, waterscapes, animals.
Asselyn studied first under Esaias van de Velde. He was known as 'Krabbetje' because of the contraction of the fingers from which he suffered. While still very young he went to Italy - as had been the custom of young Flemish artists since the 15th century - where he spent some years completing his studies.
In Italy he came under the influence of Jan Both and Claude Lorraine. He also became strongly influenced by Latin Classicism and by Roman landscapes, developing a 'manner' after the Italianate painters of ruins who flourished during the 17th and 18th centuries. However, the keen observation of nature in Asselyn's work betrays his origins in northern Europe.
Most of his landscapes are views of the area around Rome, with the addition of figures and animals after N. Berchem, and views of Roman ruins. His skies and background work are handsomely executed and finely coloured. In some of his pieces the effects of the sunlight recall the warmth of the coloration of Jan Both. His drawing is firm and clear and his trees reveal a deep understanding of nature. His painting Wounded Swan Defending the Nest is well known and, through Jan de Witt, achieved the status of a national allegory.
"ASSELYN, Jan." In Benezit Dictionary of Artists. Oxford Art Online, http://www.oxfordartonline.com.proxy.lib.fsu.edu/subscriber/article/benezit/B00008031 (accessed May 3, 2012).
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