Artwork
The Pigeon House
The Pigeon House is an oil painting by the Dutch Golden Age artist Roelof Jansz van Vries. It dates from 1665 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
About this work
Subject & Meaning
As a landscape work held by the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the composition exemplifies 17th‑century Dutch interest in ordinary domestic settings.
The painting titled The Pigeon House, created by Roelof Jansz van Vries in 1665, portrays a modest Dutch countryside scene that includes a small boat, a house, a dovecote and a solitary figure. These elements together form a simple narrative of everyday rural life, reflecting the domestic stability and modest prosperity associated with the owner’s property. The presence of a dovecote, a structure used for housing pigeons, may allude to notions of shelter and sustenance, while the boat suggests modest mobility across local waterways.
As a landscape work held by the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the composition exemplifies 17th‑century Dutch interest in ordinary domestic settings.
Technique & Style
Executed in 1665, The Pigeon House is an oil painting on canvas by Roelof Jansz van Vries. The work measures 36.8 cm in height and 30.5 cm in width, classifying it as a small-scale landscape. Stylistically, the composition focuses on a rural scene featuring a dovecote or house, a boat, and a human figure, elements typical of the Dutch landscape genre.
The application of oil paint on a woven canvas support allows for the textural rendering of the architectural and natural elements depicted. While specific details regarding the current physical condition or unique handling techniques are not explicitly detailed in the available records, the medium and support combination represents standard practice for seventeenth-century Dutch cabinet paintings.
History & Provenance
The work titled The Pigeon House was painted in 1665 by Roelof Jansz van Vries using oil on canvas; it is categorized as a landscape painting. The composition shows a boat, a house, a dovecote and a man. The painting entered the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art and was subsequently owned by William T. Blodgett, who held it as of the latest recorded provenance.
Its creation is documented with an inception date of 1665‑01‑01, and its physical dimensions are 36.8 cm by 30.5 cm. The work is executed in oil paint on canvas and has been part of the museum’s holdings since its acquisition.
The Pigeon House, painted by Roelof Jansz van Vries in 1665, is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The work, an oil on canvas landscape depicting a dovecote and boat, was previously owned by William T. Blodgett before entering the museum's holdings. While the specific accession number is not detailed in the available records, the institution in New York City serves as its current location.
The provided sources confirm the painting's presence in this major public collection but do not list specific past exhibitions or loan history for the work.
Overview
The oil painting "The Pigeon House" was created in 1665 by Roelof Jansz van Vries, a Dutch Golden Age artist recognized for his landscape compositions. This work captures a tranquil riverside scene, featuring a prominent dovecote and various figures engaged in quiet activities. It exemplifies the artistic trends of the Dutch Golden Age and is currently housed in The Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Context
Created during the flourishing Dutch Golden Age, "The Pigeon House" reflects the era's artistic interest in depicting local landscapes and domestic life. Artists of this period often captured familiar scenes, from bustling cityscapes to tranquil rural settings, imbuing them with a sense of quiet dignity. Van Vries's work contributes to this tradition, offering a glimpse into the architectural and social fabric of 17th-century Netherlands.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Roelof Jansz van Vries or Roelof van Vries (1631, Haarlem – 1681/1701, Amsterdam) was a Dutch painter of the Dutch Golden Age.
