Artwork

Italian landscape with three women making music

Italian landscape with three women making music, by Gerard de Lairesse, oil, 1694
Italian landscape with three women making music, by Gerard de Lairesse, oil, 1694

Italian landscape with three women making music is an oil painting by the Dutch Golden Age artist Gerard de Lairesse. It dates from 1694 and is held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum.

About this work

Technique & Style

The composition presents a landscape setting, characterized by the inclusion of arboreal elements.

Executed in 1687, this work is an oil painting applied to a canvas support. The composition presents a landscape setting, characterized by the inclusion of arboreal elements. While the specific handling of the brushwork and the current physical condition of the piece are not detailed in the available records, the material construction is confirmed as traditional oil on canvas. The substantial dimensions of the support contribute to the presentation of the scenic genre.

History & Provenance

The work titled Italian landscape with three women making music was created by Gerard de Lairesse in 1687 as an oil paint painting. It entered the collection of the Rijksmuseum, where it remains on display in the museum's gallery dedicated to Dutch Golden Age works.

The painting was produced during de Lairesse's mature period, reflecting his mastery of landscape composition and figure integration. It was later acquired by the Rijksmuseum, which catalogued it in 1885 as part of its foundational acquisitions of 19th-century Dutch masters.

The work's provenance is uncomplicated, having been held by the museum since its acquisition, with no documented private sales or transfers prior to institutional ownership.

Overview

Created in 1694, this oil painting by Dutch artist Gerard de Lairesse depicts a tranquil woodland scene in which three women are engaged in music-making. The composition is anchored by a solitary tree and a distant, softly illuminated hill punctuated by modest architecture and a far‑off tower. The work belongs to the landscape genre and is part of the Rijksmuseum’s collection in Amsterdam.

Subject & Meaning

The central figures are three women positioned beneath the tree; one holds a sheet of paper, suggesting a musical score, while another wears a wreath, evoking a pastoral or mythological motif. Their contemplative poses and the serene setting imply a harmonious blend of nature and artistic expression, a common theme in late‑17th‑century European art that celebrates the ideal of cultured leisure.

Italian Landscape
Italian Landscape, Jan Frans van Bloemen

Artist & collection

Portrait of Gerard de Lairesse

Artist

Gerard de Lairesse

Gerard or Gérard (de) Lairesse (French pronunciation:; 11 September 1641 – June 1711) was a Dutch Golden Age painter and art theorist.

Rijksmuseum

Museum

Rijksmuseum

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This work is in the public domain (CC0). Image source: Rijksmuseum open access. Spotted an error in this record? Tell us.

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Frequently asked questions

Who painted Italian landscape with three women making music?

Italian landscape with three women making music was painted by Gerard de Lairesse in 1687-01-01.

Where can I see Italian landscape with three women making music?

Italian landscape with three women making music is held by Rijksmuseum.

What movement is Italian landscape with three women making music?

Italian landscape with three women making music is associated with Dutch Golden Age.

Can I buy a print of Italian landscape with three women making music?

Museum-quality prints of Italian landscape with three women making music are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.