Panoramic View of Jaén, with the Figure of a Man Sketching in the Foreground

1567

From the collection of Victoria and Albert Museum

Dominant colour

Panoramic View of Jaén, with the Figure of a Man Sketching in the Foreground is a 1567 by Anton van den Wyngaerde, a Renaissance work, held at Victoria and Albert Museum.

Who painted this?: Anton van den Wyngaerde
When & what style?: 1567 · Renaissance
Where can I see it?: Victoria and Albert Museum

About this work

This drawing shows a wide view of a city nestled between hills. Buildings cluster tightly along a river, with bridges crossing the water. In the foreground, a lone figure stands on a small rise, sketching the scene. The paper is light brown, with faint pencil lines marking roads, trees, and distant mountains. The artist included tiny notes in the corners—likely measurements or labels for the city’s features. This kind of detailed sketch was useful for planning or record-keeping. Look up cross-hatching to see how artists build up shadows with layers of lines.

The story of this work

Overview

A panoramic view of Jaén rendered in pen, ink, and watercolour by Anton van den Wyngaerde in 1567, featuring a figure sketching in the foreground. The work was once part of an album containing 31 other topographical drawings. It passed through several owners, including Joannes Moflin and Dr Henry Wellesley, before being sold at auction in 1866. The drawing was later acquired by J.C. Robinson and purchased by the museum in two instalments between 1879 and 1880.

Read the full account in the museum source.

About the artist

Artist

Anton van den Wyngaerde

Anton van den Wyngaerde was a prolific Flemish topographical artist who made panoramic sketches and paintings of towns in the southern Netherlands, northern France, England, Italy, and Spain.

See the richer artist page