Aelbert Cuyp

Aelbert Cuyp was one of the foremost Dutch painters and draughtsmen of the 17th century. His prolific artistic career, in which he produced idyllic views of the Dutch countryside, spanned the years between 1640 and 1665, the Golden Age of Dutch painting. At the core of this book and the exhibition it accompanies are 45 of Cuyp's most distinguished paintings and 64 drawings, taken largely from the collections of the organizing institutions but also from other British, Dutch, American and German museums and private collections. The appeal of the work lies not only in the subject matter but also in their distinctive style. Cuyp infused his Arcadian subjects and river views with a sensitivity to light and a clarity of form that is firmly grounded in reality. The essays, by curators and scholars, discuss Cup's work in the context of his time, personal background, artistic development, patrons, use of costume and artistic techniques.