The selection of around 60 exhibits on display from the Graphic Collection's rich holdings of Dutch drawings and prints is oriented towards the artists represented with paintings in the HOHENBUCHAU COLLECTION, such as Abraham Bloemaert, Allart van Everdingen, Jacob Jordaens and Roelant Savery. These are complemented by works created in the artists' environment - such as Rembrandt's school. The exhibition brings together themes and genres characteristic of Dutch art of the period: from portraits to landscapes and genre scenes to religious and mythological representations.
The entire presentation offers a glimpse of artistic development from the 16th to the early 18th century, ranging from Mannerism to the Baroque, Holland's "Golden Age."
Dutch drawings
Technically, the selection of works also reveals a rich spectrum. The drawings media of pencil and chalk offered artists the possibility of directly reproducing reality. Numerous depictions "naer het leven" (after life) were created: Scenes of people in their everyday lives, as well as landscape studies and topographically faithful city views. Sketches and compositional studies, which were developed with pen and brush, formed the basis for the paintings that were subsequently created. In many cases, however, the drawings, executed with great technical effort, were also conceived as independent works of art: Signed or monogrammed, they were intended for sale to collectors alongside paintings.
Dutch Prints
Like drawings, Dutch printmaking showed a remarkable increase in the second half of the 16th century - noticeable in the increased demand for copperplate engravings, etchings, engraving sequences and illustrated books. While the special feature of the graphic execution can be seen in the unique character of the individual work, the importance of the print is shown by the possibility of its reproduction. The sometimes large editions made Dutch art and its protagonists - from the publisher to the executing engraver - known beyond national borders.
Catalog
The accompanying catalog "Brueghel, Rubens, Ruisdael. The Prints and Drawings Collection Shows Its Treasures" introduces the significance of Dutch drawings and printmaking from the 16th to 18th centuries and provides a glimpse into its varied themes. Commentaries on selected works in the exhibition allow insights into the rich collection holdings. The catalog (48 pages with 39 illustrations) is available for € 9.80 in the museum store.