Updated November 2026 · ranked by our popularity score (searches, visits and orders for each work) · 33 works by Jan Hackaert in our catalogue
Summary
A Stag Hunt in a Forest (1660) is recorded as the most famous painting of Jan Hackaert; it is held by the National Gallery, London. A hawking party on a woodland path (1680) and Deer Hunt in a Forest (1672) occupy the second and third entries. Of the 33 works by Jan Hackaert recorded in the catalogue, the 31 best known are listed below, each entry with its date, the holding museum and a note on the work.
The tension of the chase unfolds in A Stag Hunt in a Forest, a work by the Dutch Golden Age painter Jan Hackaert. Within this dense woodland, a stag moves through the shadows, pursued by the focused energy of a hunt. The scene captures a moment of high stakes, where the quiet of the trees meets the sudden movement of the quarry. Every element of the landscape, from the towering…
The forest breathes with a heavy, humid stillness. Sunlight pierces through a dense canopy of ancient trees, casting long, shifting patterns across a floor of moss and fallen leaves. In this dappled light, the tension of the chase begins to stir. A stag moves through the thicket, its presence felt in the sudden rustle of foliage and the quiet, focused energy of the woods. Hunters and hounds emerge from the…
Forest Landscape with Stag Hunt is a landscape painting by the Dutch artist Jan Hackaert. The work dates to 1667. It depicts a stag hunt occurring within a dense forest setting. The composition focuses on the movement of the hunt amidst a thick arrangement of trees and foliage.
Italianate Landscape by Evening with Dancing Couple1658 · Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen
12
Italian Landscape1658 · Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen
13
The Lake of Zurich1660 · Rijksmuseum
14
Italian scenery with figures1654
15
Landscape with a Waterfall1649 · Holburne Museum
16
Beech Forest with Hunting Party1670 · Bavarian State Painting Collections
17
The Ash Alley1670 · Petit Palais
18
Mountainous Landscape with Rider at Sunset1672 · Städel Museum
19
View of Schwanenburg castle at Kleve1674 · Groninger Museum
20
Mountainous landscape1672 · Rijksmuseum
21
Landscape with cattle herders1672 · Rijksmuseum
22
Mountainous Landscape with Cattle1680 · Nationalmuseum
23
An Avenue in a Wood1675 · Wallace Collection
24
Hunters in the Woods, Jan Hackaert, 1660 - 16851685 · Rijksmuseum
25
The Avenue of Birches, Jan Hackaert, 1660 - 16851685 · Rijksmuseum
26
River Scene1660 · Wallraf-Richartz-Museum
27
Forest Landscape with Stag HuntKunsthistorisches Museum
28
LandscapeStatens Museum For Kunst
29
Wooded Landscape with Bandits Attacking a Coach
30
Deer Hunters in the WoodsNational Museum in Warsaw
31
A Stag Hunt in a Forest
The four subjects most frequently represented among these works, each with its best-known example.
The 8 museums that hold the most of the paintings on this page.
| Museum | City | Works by Jan Hackaert | Paintings from this list |
|---|---|---|---|
 Rijksmuseum |
Amsterdam | 5 | The Lake of Zurich, Mountainous landscape, Landscape with cattle herders |
 Bavarian State Painting Collections |
Munich | 2 | Landscape, Beech Forest with Hunting Party |
 Wallace Collection |
London | 2 | The Wooded Banks of a River, An Avenue in a Wood |
 Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen |
Rotterdam | 2 | Italianate Landscape by Evening with Dancing Couple, Italian Landscape |
 National Gallery |
London | 1 | A Stag Hunt in a Forest |
 Mauritshuis |
The Hague | 1 | Deer Hunt in a Forest |
 Detroit Institute of Arts |
Detroit | 1 | Forest Landscape with Stag Hunt |
 Museum Voor Moderne Kunst |
Arnhem | 1 | Travellers in a Wooded Landscape |
Select a decade to display its principal painting.
The tension of the chase unfolds in A Stag Hunt in a Forest, a work by the Dutch Golden Age painter Jan Hackaert. Within this dense woodland, a stag moves through the shadows, pursued by the focused energy of a hunt. The scene captures a moment of high stakes, where the quiet of the trees meets the sudden movement of the quarry. Every element of the landscape, from the towering…
The forest breathes with a heavy, humid stillness. Sunlight pierces through a dense canopy of ancient trees, casting long, shifting patterns across a floor of moss and fallen leaves. In this dappled light, the tension of the chase begins to stir. A stag moves through the thicket, its presence felt in the sudden rustle of foliage and the quiet, focused energy of the woods. Hunters and hounds emerge from the…
A Stag Hunt in a Forest (1660), National Gallery, London. The following entries are A hawking party on a woodland path (1680) and Deer Hunt in a Forest (1672).
32 years: Jan Hackaert was born in 1628 and A Stag Hunt in a Forest is dated 1660.
A Stag Hunt in a Forest, A hawking party on a woodland path, Deer Hunt in a Forest, Forest Landscape with Stag Hunt, Travellers in a Wooded Landscape, Landscape, The Wooded Banks of a River, A Wooded Landscape, A Hawking Party and Estate Reigersburg in the Watergraafsmeer. The list above records the date and holding museum of each.
The catalogue records 33 works by Jan Hackaert, dated between 1645 and 1685.
Principally in Rijksmuseum (Amsterdam), Bavarian State Painting Collections (Munich) and Wallace Collection (London). The museum table above gives the full distribution.
In 1660s: 8 of the 31 works listed on this page are dated to that period, including A Stag Hunt in a Forest.
The earliest dated work listed here is Travellers in a Wooded Landscape (1645); the latest is Hunters in the Woods, Jan Hackaert, 1660 - 1685 (1685).
Forest (4), Stag (3) and Hunter (3), out of the 31 works listed on this page.
Oil On Canvas, in 5 of the 31 works listed on this page.
Baroque, as documented by the works on this page.
The Lake of Zurich, Mountainous landscape and Landscape with cattle herders are among the 5 works on this page in the collection of the Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam.
Jan Hackaert, a name perhaps less familiar than those of Rembrandt or Vermeer, nevertheless stands as a significant figure within the vibrant tapestry of the Dutch Golden Age. Born in Amsterdam around 1628 and tragically passing away in 1685, Hackaert’s life was one dedicated to capturing the essence of landscape – not merely depicting scenes, but imbuing them with atmosphere, light, and a subtle, almost mystical quality. His career unfolded across Germany and Switzerland, yet his most enduring legacy lies in the meticulously rendered Italianate landscapes that defined much of his output.
Early biographical details about Hackaert are scarce, shrouded in the typical obscurity that often accompanies artists working during this period. He seems to have embarked on a series of journeys, notably traveling through Switzerland and Germany, likely seeking inspiration and opportunities. It’s within these foreign lands that his distinctive style began to take shape – a synthesis of observation and artistic license. A particularly intriguing anecdote reveals the complexities of his work; accounts suggest he was occasionally met with suspicion by local miners when sketching their operations in the mountains. The workers, understandably perplexed by his detailed renderings, viewed him as either a spy or even a practitioner of dark arts, leading to complaints and highlighting the potential for misinterpretation inherent in representing unfamiliar subjects.
Hackaert’s contribution to the artistic landscape extended beyond individual paintings. He frequently served as a landscape painter for other prominent artists, acting as a crucial collaborator. His skill was particularly valued by Nicolas Berchem and Adriaen van de Velde, who relied on his expertise to create atmospheric backgrounds that elevated their compositions. This role underscores Hackaert’s understanding of composition and color theory – he wasn't simply painting pretty pictures; he was contributing to the overall narrative and emotional impact of larger works.
A defining characteristic of Hackaert’s work is his embrace of the Italianate style, which was immensely fashionable during the Dutch Golden Age. This wasn't merely imitation; rather, he skillfully adapted Italian techniques to the Dutch landscape tradition. He masterfully employed light and shadow, creating a sense of depth and drama that mirrored the works of Venetian masters. The influence of the Italian Renaissance is evident in his use of perspective, color palettes, and the depiction of classical ruins or distant mountains – elements frequently incorporated into his compositions.
Interestingly, one particular painting—his depiction of Lake Zurich—became a source of considerable confusion for decades. Due to Hackaert’s adeptness at simulating southern Italian light and atmosphere, the lake was mistakenly identified as an Italian lake for years after its creation. This anecdote serves as a testament to his technical skill and the widespread fascination with Italian landscapes during that era.
Hackaert's paintings are characterized by a meticulous attention to detail and a sophisticated understanding of color mixing. He primarily worked in oil on panel, utilizing layering techniques to build up rich textures and luminous effects. His brushwork is often subtle yet remarkably expressive, conveying the feel of wind, water, and sunlight with remarkable precision. Hackaert’s use of glazes—thin layers of translucent paint applied over dried underlayers—allowed him to achieve a remarkable level of depth and luminosity, capturing the fleeting qualities of light in natural settings.
He was known for his ability to render foliage with astonishing realism, creating a sense of immersion within the depicted landscapes. His compositions frequently feature elements such as winding paths, distant hills, and shimmering water surfaces, all rendered with a remarkable degree of accuracy and atmospheric perspective. The integration of figures—often shepherds or hunters—added a human element to these idyllic scenes, further enhancing their appeal.
While Jan Hackaert may not be as widely celebrated as some of his contemporaries, his contributions to the Dutch landscape tradition are undeniable. His paintings offer a captivating glimpse into the beauty of the German and Swiss countryside during the 17th century, imbued with the spirit of the Golden Age. He demonstrated an exceptional ability to capture the essence of light and atmosphere, creating works that continue to resonate with viewers today.
Hackaert’s legacy extends beyond his individual paintings; he played a vital role in shaping the artistic landscape by collaborating with other prominent artists. His work serves as a valuable example of how artists could adapt foreign styles while maintaining their own unique vision. His meticulous approach to detail and atmospheric rendering cemented his place as a skilled and influential figure within the Dutch Golden Age art world.
