Artwork
The Tivoli waterfalls
The Tivoli waterfalls is an oil painting by the Dutch Golden Age artist Cornelius van Poelenburgh. It dates from 1622 and is held in the collection of the Bavarian State Painting Collections.
About this work
Overview
The Tivoli waterfalls is a 1622 painting on copper by Cornelius van Poelenburgh, a Dutch artist known for his landscapes.
Subject & Meaning
The painting depicts a serene Italianate landscape with a rocky hillside, three waterfalls, and grazing cows tended by a figure. Distant buildings sit on a hill, set against a pale blue sky with clouds. The scene is populated by small figures, possibly engaging in biblical or mythological narratives.
Technique & Style
Poelenburgh's use of soft shadows creates a realistic effect, particularly in the depiction of the waterfalls. The painting's small scale and detailed execution are characteristic of its unusual copper support.
History & Provenance
The painting is part of the Alte Pinakothek collection and is a representative work of the Dutch Golden Age.
Artist & collection
Artist
Cornelis van Poelenburgh or Cornelis van Poelenburch (1594 – 12 August 1667), was a Dutch landscape painter and draughtsman.
