Ubbergen Castle

ID: #8085 | TOP 200 | Dutch painters | Architecture

The remains of this castle appear to have become one with the natural surroundings. Aelbert Cuyp used a similar color palette and camouflage patterns to portray the decaying walls as he did for the autumnal woods and the hillside in the background. The reflection in the calm lake enhances the perception that the stone towers and dilapidated ramparts are blending into the landscape . The viewers of the time, likely familiar with the castle, may have found a deeper meaning in the scene. This is Ubbergen Castle, located near Nijmegen in the Dutch Province of Gelderland. The castle, dating back to the fourteenth century, was destroyed in 1582 during the Spanish occupation of the Netherlands, making it a symbolic representation of national independence.

While the exact date of this painting is unknown, it was probably created in 1655, less than a decade after the Treaty of Münster in 1648, which marked the Dutch achieving independence from Spain.

Prevailing color of this fine art print is brown and its shape is long. This image is printed on demand - you can choose material, size and finishing.

The most famous of a family of painters and a pupil of his father, Aelbert Cuyp Jacobs (1620-1691) was Dutch landscape artist during the golden age of the 17th century. He is often likened to Claude Lorrain. Not much information about Cuyp’s life was preserved. From what we know, it is obvious that he became a deacon a year after he was married to Cornelia Bosman. But we know more about his artistic life. He was the most active and at the peak of his career in the years 1630 - 1650. His painting style was influenced by Josephszoon Jan van Goyen, yellow and light brown tones, noticeable in the painting < a href = Aelbert Cuyp-landscape-s-cattle-Ido-4237> Landscape with Cattle or Maas at Dordrecht. He was also inspired by his father, for whom he painted landscape backgrounds as he was a portraitist. Of course, Cyup signed his paintings but unfortunately only by name, so it is impossible to say when exactly they were created.