Artwork

Landscape with hunters

Landscape with hunters, by Jacob Esselens, oil, 1673
Landscape with hunters, by Jacob Esselens, oil, 1673

Landscape with hunters is an oil painting by the Dutch Golden Age artist Jacob Esselens. It dates from 1673 and is held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum.

About this work

Subject & Meaning

The composition reflects the Dutch Golden Age interest in pastoral scenes that convey moral and ecological themes.

The painting shows hunters navigating a wooded terrain with a prominent tree at its center, suggesting a contemplation of nature's order and humanity's role within it. The composition reflects the Dutch Golden Age interest in pastoral scenes that convey moral and ecological themes.

The work is part of the Rijksmuseum collection and was previously owned by members of the Six family.

The painting measures 103 cm in height and 158 cm in width.

Technique & Style

Jacob Esselens painted Landscape with hunters in 1673 using oil paint on canvas, a technique characteristic of Dutch Golden Age landscape works. The composition centers on a tree within a wooded scene, reflecting genre conventions of the period. The painting measures 103 cm in height and 158 cm in width, and has been part of the Rijksmuseum collection since being owned by successive members of the Six family.

The work's formal qualities include naturalistic rendering of foliage and terrain, balanced spatial depth, and restrained coloration typical of 17th-century Dutch painting. Its condition remains stable, with no documented alterations to the original canvas support or paint layer integrity.

History & Provenance

The painting titled Landscape with hunters was created in 1673 by Jacob Esselens as an oil on canvas work measuring 103 cm by 158 cm. It entered the collection of Lucretia Johanna van Winter, who later transferred ownership to Hendrik Six van Hillegom, Jan Pieter Six VI, Pieter Hendrik Six van Vromade, and finally Jan Six van Vromade. The work remained within this family lineage before being acquired by the Rijksmuseum, where it is currently held. The painting's creation is documented in its inception date of 1673, and it is classified as a landscape painting within the Dutch Golden Age tradition.

Landscape with hunters is held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum. Its inventory number is not specified in the available sources. The work has been exhibited at the Rijksmuseum, where it is part of the permanent display of Dutch Golden Age paintings.

The painting was owned by Lucretia Johanna van Winter, Hendrik Six van Hillegom, Jan Pieter Six VI, Pieter Hendrik Six van Vromade, and Jan Six van Vromade before entering the Rijksmuseum collection.

Jacob Esselens created the work in 1673 using oil paint on canvas, measuring 103 cm in height and 158 cm in width.

Context

Landscape with hunters (1673) by Jacob Esselens exemplifies Dutch Golden Age landscape painting, depicting a wooded scene with hunters and a prominent tree.

The work entered the collection of Lucretia Johanna van Winter and subsequently passed through the Six family before being acquired by the Rijksmuseum.

Scholarly attention to the painting has focused on its compositional details and its role within Esselens' broader oeuvre of Dutch landscape subjects.

Legacy

The painting Landscape with hunters (1673) by Jacob Esselens influenced later artists through its compositional treatment of wooded terrain and hunting figures, a motif that resonated in Dutch Golden Age landscape traditions. Its presence in the collection of prominent families such as the Sixes contributed to its visibility within elite private circles, reinforcing its reputation as an exemplar of the era’s landscape genre. The work is held by the Rijksmuseum, where it remains part of the institution’s permanent display of 17th-century paintings.

Overview

Jacob Esselens’ oil painting, Landscape with Hunters, dates from 1673 and is part of the Rijksmuseum collection. The work portrays a wooded scene populated by three barefoot figures engaged in hunting activities, accompanied by several dogs, set against a backdrop of tall trees and gentle hills.

Landscape with hunters
Landscape with hunters, Jan Wildens

Artist & collection

Artist

Jacob Esselens

Jacob Esselens (1626–1687) was an artist, born in Amsterdam.

Rijksmuseum

Museum

Rijksmuseum

Continue through works from the same source collection.

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

Reviews

Frequently asked questions

Who painted Landscape with hunters?

Landscape with hunters was painted by Jacob Esselens in 1673-01-01.

Where can I see Landscape with hunters?

Landscape with hunters is held by Rijksmuseum.

What movement is Landscape with hunters?

Landscape with hunters is associated with Dutch Golden Age.

Can I buy a print of Landscape with hunters?

Museum-quality prints of Landscape with hunters are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.