Artwork
The Terrace
The Terrace is an oil painting by the Dutch Golden Age artist Ludolf de Jongh. It dates from 1660 and is held in the collection of the Art Institute of Chicago.
About this work
Subject & Meaning
The painting titled The Terrace (1660) by Ludolf de Jongh is an oil‑on‑canvas genre scene that presents a sunlit terrace furnished with a balcony, an arbor and assorted decorative objects.
The composition includes a man, a woman, a dog, a guitar, a cello, a sword and a small sculpture, all rendered with meticulous detail, suggesting a domestic setting of leisure and social interaction in the Dutch Republic.
Technique & Style
The Terrace is an oil painting on canvas created in 1660 by Ludolf de Jongh, a Dutch artist documented in the Art Institute of Chicago’s collection.
The Terrace is an oil painting on canvas created in 1660 by Ludolf de Jongh, a Dutch artist documented in the Art Institute of Chicago’s collection.
Executed in the genre‑scene tradition, the work combines interior and exterior elements, portraying a terrace with a man, woman, dog, arbor, balcony, musical instruments and a sword, rendered with fine brushwork and careful handling of light and space.
The painting belongs to the genre_scene classification and incorporates elements such as a window, sword, and sculpture, reflecting the detailed observational style typical of 17th‑century Dutch interior scenes.
Legacy
The Terrace (1660), an oil on canvas genre scene by Ludolf de Jongh, entered the Art Institute of Chicago collection after passing through several private owners, including Calouste Gulbenkian and Colnaghi. Its inclusion in a prominent museum highlights the work's recognized importance within Dutch Golden Age painting and supports de Jongh's reputation as a master of interior and terrace genre subjects. The painting depicts a terrace with a man, woman, dog, arbor, guitar, cello, sword, and sculpture, illustrating contemporary domestic leisure.
Overview
Ludolf de Jongh's The Terrace, an oil painting from 1660, exemplifies the Dutch Golden Age genre tradition. This artwork captures an outdoor domestic scene, featuring figures within a sunlit courtyard, complete with an arbor and architectural elements. The painting is recognized for its detailed depiction of contemporary life and is held in the collection of the Art Institute of Chicago.
Context
Created during the Dutch Golden Age, The Terrace reflects the era's appreciation for genre scenes depicting everyday life. Ludolf de Jongh, active in the mid-17th century, was a versatile painter known for subjects ranging from landscapes to portraits. Beyond his artistic pursuits, he also held civic roles, serving as an officer in Rotterdam's civil guard and later as sheriff of Hillegersberg.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Ludolf de Jongh or Ludolf Leendertsz. de Jongh (Overschie, 1616 – Hillegersberg, 1679) was a Dutch painter, known for his genre scenes, hunting scenes, history paintings, landscapes, cityscapes, and portraits. He was…
The Terrace
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