1620 – 1691
Aelbert Jacobszoon Cuyp, born in Dordrecht, Netherlands, in October 1620, was a celebrated Dutch Golden Age painter. He was the only son of Jacob Gerritszoon Cuyp, a renowned portrait and landscape painter, who undoubtedly influenced Aelbert’s early artistic training. Cuyp developed his own distinctive style around 1650, marking him as one of the foremost painters of his time.
Cuyp is best known for his luminous landscapes that often feature figures and animals, as well as sacred, historical, and mythological themes. His works are characterized by a mastery of light and atmosphere, capturing a golden, Mediterranean glow that is remarkable given that Cuyp himself never traveled to southern Europe.
Influenced by Salomon van Ruysdael and Jan van Goyen, Cuyp adopted their use of low tonalities and robust coloring, combined with dramatic skies. He also drew inspiration from Jan Both and Claude Lorrain, especially in his handling of light and his ability to infuse landscapes with an almost poetic quality.
Aelbert Cuyp’s paintings, many of which are undated, display an impressive variety, from tranquil riverside scenes to pastoral vistas populated by cattle and shepherds. His ability to blend human and natural elements within his compositions contributed to his enduring legacy.
Cuyp spent most of his life in Dordrecht, where he became a prominent figure in the local art scene. He passed away in Dordrecht on November 15, 1691, leaving behind a body of work that continues to captivate art lovers and scholars alike.
